Political Quotes

“in addition to the concerns that I raised earlier regarding the provisions of the mental health parity bill, that it will actually decrease mental health coverage and increase health insurance costs, let me share several additional concerns I have with the Genetic Information Non-Discrimination Act that was inserted late last night. Title I of the GINA legislation imposes Federal mandates on health plans regarding insurance coverage, while title II imposes mandates on employers regarding employment and related hiring decisions. However, there is no explicit language in this legislation clarifying that group health insurance plan sponsors may not be subjected to the more expansive remedies provided by title II. Why is that a problem? Because title II provides for rulemaking by the EEOC, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, and remedies before the EEOC and, ultimately, Federal courts. During floor debate on H.R. 493, Congressman Rob Andrews suggested that "employers, including to the extent employers control or direct benefit plans, are subject to the requirements of title II of this bill," including the much broader definition of genetic testing and tougher penalties associated with that title.…”