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House Committee Passed Genetic Information Protection Measure

April 21, 1998
By: Tristin Yeager
State Capital Bureau

Your insurance committee would not be able to use your genetic information against you under a bill passed by the state House Insurance Committee. Tristin Yeager reports from the state capitol.

The bill would prevent insurance companies from requiring genetic tests and asking if you have taken or refused such tests.

Committee Chairman St. Louis City Representative Ron Auer:

Actuality:auer1.wav
RunTime: :15.738
OutCue: "...again be discriminated against."
Contents: Auer says there are individuals out there that are refusing and declining genetic tests on the theory that the insurance company or their employer may get a hold of the results of the test and again be discriminated against.

The bill was attached to another bill that prevents insurance companies from discriminating against domestic violence abuse victims.

Your genetic information would be protected from discrimination by insurance companies under a bill passed by the state House Insurance Committee. Tristin Yeager reports from the state capitol.

The bill would prevent insurance companies from requiring you to provide genetic information or take a genetic test.

Your consent would be required in order for insurance companies to consider your genetic information in coverage decisions.

St. Louis City Representative Patrick Dougherty sponsored a similar bill and says this version is not as strong.

Actuality:dough1.wav
RunTime: :13.792
OutCue: "...dilute the protections."
Contents: Dougherty says the version lacks the protection of confidentiality on the information especially in regards to genetic information being shared amongst other individuals who might have access to it.

The bill would also prevent insurance companies from requiring similar information from blood relatives.