Urgent action alert: Senate is debating important health bill NOW!

[pnwmom]

After twelve years of struggle, a vote could come as soon as TOMORROW.

PLEASE help get this on the greatest page and keep this kicked!

The Genetic Information Non-Discrimination Act (GINA) makes it illegal for health insurers to deny coverage or charge a higher rate or premium to an otherwise healthy individual found to have a potential genetic condition or genetic predisposition towards a disease or disorder. GINA also makes it illegal for employers to use an employee's genetic information when making hiring, firing, placement, or promotion decisions.

Passing this legislation will help all families affected by genetically related conditions. It will also further research of these conditions, since many families are reluctant to participate in research since identifying their genetic predispositions could affect their eligibility for health insurance.

(The following is from an email sent to me by the PKU foundation, an org supporting research of kidney diseases.)

The time has come… After much delay, the Genetic Information Non-Discrimination Act (S. 358) could go to the U.S. Senate floor for debate and a vote as early as Tuesday, April 15. A nationwide grassroots effort will begin today to convince every Senator to vote for the bill.

Congress has tried and failed to pass this vital legislation for 12 years. The U.S. House already passed this legislation in early 2007. However, if the effort to bring GINA to the Senate floor fails now, there will not be another attempt this year. We need a massive response rate from you and other advocates from all the organizations fighting for this bill to make this effort a success.

Thank you for your efforts on behalf of everyone affected by genetic diseases to support this legislation to help end genetic discrimination.

Here’s What To Do:

This is a two-step Action Alert:

1. Call Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid’s (D-NV) office and thank him for his efforts to schedule a debate and vote on the Senate floor for GINA. As Majority Leader, Reid controls what bills get a vote in the Senate.



Reid’s office: 202-224-3542. (If it’s busy, keeping trying!)

Sample script
My name is (YOUR NAME), and I am calling to thank Senator Reid for his leadership on the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act, or GINA (S. 358). I would like to encourage him to bring GINA to the Senate floor as early as possible. Thank you!

1. Call your state’s two Senators and ask them to support GINA.


Sample script
My name is (YOUR NAME), and I am a constituent living in (YOUR CITY, STATE). I am calling to ask for (NAME OF SENATOR)’s support for the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act, or GINA (S. 358), and all the procedural motions needed to support this legislation. This legislation provides fundamental protections against the misuse of genetic information in health insurance and employment decisions. It is vital for all Americans to have these basic protections. Thank you!

[alstephenson]

1. k & r

[pnwmom]

2. Thank you, and everyone else for the recommends!