Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA)

The Issue:

After 13 years of tireless dedication by the Coalition for Genetic Fairness and bill sponsors, the Genetic Information Non-Discrimination Act was signed by President Bush on May 21. This important legislation protects Americans from discrimination by health insurers or employers based on genetic information by:

• Prohibiting group health plans and issuers offering coverage on the group or individual market from basing eligibility determinations or adjusting premiums or contributions on the basis of genetic information. They cannot request, require or purchase the results of genetic tests, or disclose genetic information.


• Prohibiting issuers of Medigap policies from adjusting pricing or conditioning eligibility on the basis of genetic information. They cannot request, require or purchase the results of genetic tests, or disclose genetic information.


• Prohibiting employers from firing, refusing to hire, or otherwise discriminating with respect to compensation, terms, conditions or privileges of employment. Employers may not request, require or purchase genetic information, and may not disclose genetic information. Similar provisions apply to employment agencies and labor organizations.

Please be sure to share news of GINA's passage with everyone you know — these are tremendous protections and we should ensure that the community is aware of them.