The Legislative Press and Public Information Bureau
Distributed September 28, 2000
For more information,
contact: Dana Rae DelSignore, Publicist
State House Room 20
(401) 222-2457
Email: ddelsignore@rilin.state.ri.us
Representative Naughton appointed to genetic testing commission
STATE HOUSE -- Rep. Eileen S. Naughton (D-Dist. 32) of Warwick has been appointed to serve on a commission that will study privacy issues and patients’ rights concerning genetic testing.
"Genetic testing is a relatively new field that holds a wealth of promise for patients and the entire medical community," said Representative Naughton. "But with this new technology comes an unprecedented set of rules concerning a patient’s privacy and whether the results of a genetic test should be shared with insurance companies and health maintenance organizations."
The Commission to Study Confidentiality and Proprietary Rights Regarding Genetic Testing stems from legislation sponsored this year by Rep. Suzanne M. Henseler (D-Dist. 44) of North Kingstown. The bill, which did not pass, would have prohibited health insurers, including private and non-profit firms and health maintenance organizations, from using the results of a genetic test to reject, deny, cancel or increase the rates of a patient’s health insurance policy.
Genetic testing involves studying DNA fibers to determine if a person is at a risk for a hereditary condition such as cystic fibrosis, Lou Gehrig’s disease, hemophilia, and some forms of breast and ovarian cancers. Several states, including California, Colorado, Maryland and Ohio, have already adopted genetic testing prohibitions for insurance coverage purposes.
The 11-member commission consists of state legislators, representatives of the insurance industry, representatives of the pharmaceutical industry, members of the general public, a member of the Rhode Island Medical Society, and a representative of the managed care industry.
The commission will report back to the General Assembly with its findings by March 29, 2001.
A member of the House of Representatives since 1992, Representative Naughton is a member of the House Finance Committee and the Women’s Health Commission. She can be reached at 222-1717.