US House of Representatives passes mental health genetic discrimination protection

A broadly supported piece of legislation drafted to protect Americans from genetic discrimination in the workplace and by health insurance companies has passed in the US House of Representatives.

The Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA) passed in the House provides for equity of health insurance coverage for mental disorders and substance abuse-related disorders.

“Given that most mental health diseases are genetically linked, GINA is natural addition” to the mental health bill, Rep. Louise Slaughter said in a statement.

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Elaine Warburton  www.geneticsandhealth.com