AMA: Senate action protects patients from genetic discrimination

For immediate release
April 24, 2008

Statement attributable to:
Edward Langston, MD
Board Chair
American Medical Association

“Today, the U.S. Senate took a leap forward in protecting patients by passing legislation to keep genetic information secure. The American Medical Association has long called for better patient privacy safeguards as scientific advancements make it possible to individualize health care for patients, and we applaud the U.S. Senate for passing the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2007 (H.R. 493).

“Genetic testing holds great promise for improving public health and patients must be able to trust that their genetic information will be protected from inappropriate and discriminatory uses. This bill will allow patients to take advantage of scientific advances in genetics, such as screenings and therapies, without worrying that their personal health information could be used against them by insurers or employers. Insurers will be prohibited from denying or canceling coverage or raising premiums based on a patient’s genetic information and employment-based genetic discrimination will be prohibited.