NU Online News Service, April 12, 2:59 p.m. – The Hawaii Senate and the Hawaii House are trying to iron out the differences between two versions of Senate Bill 2180, a bill that would prohibit genetic discrimination by employers and state-regulated health insurers.
Lawmakers are still debating the exact wording of the section governing genetic discrimination in employment, but the sections governing health insurance are identical.
Both versions would prohibit health insurers and fraternal benefit societies from using genetic information about an individual or an individual's relatives to deny health coverage, limit coverage, or establish eligibility, continuation, enrollment or premium payments.
One section says the bill, "shall not apply to any action taken in connection with policies of life insurance, disability income insurance, and long-term care insurance delivered or issued for delivery in this state."
