Dr. Paul May Do Harm @ Ales Rarus

Dr. Paul May Do Harm

On 21 May 2008, “Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008” became law. Essentially, the act prohibits health insurance companies from denying coverage to someone with negative genetic makeup. This law is good legislation since it guarantees that everyone has the opportunity to enroll in or buy into health insurance to help improve or save peoples’ lives no matter what their genes may predispose them to.

If the legislation did not pass, many people with genetic issues would have to live without health insurance or live on the emergency room system (the general public). In addition, parents with children with negative genetic makeup would be forced to drop their children off their insurance. Some parents would probably even be forced to abort their children so they (the parents) could have insurance. (So much for safe and rare.)

97% of the US House voted for the Act. Ron Paul, a doctor, was part of the 3% who voted against it. Why would a doctor vote against it? Yes, with this Act the government is interfering in private industry, but with life and death issues, the government must intervene.

FD has suggested to me that the Act may be seen as another affirmative action law. I disagree in part. Yes, it says that the disadvantaged gets special treatment; in affirmative action law, minorities get to get into college. However, with the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008, the disadvantaged get to live. Insurance companies should not dictate that part of society at large must die to win a heavy bottom line (with blood).

What do you think of the Act? Why do you think Dr. Paul voted against it? (I thought he was OTAAC, or pro-life.)

Gutter Ball Master

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Comments 3

Adam Graham wrote:

I think it was because of his interpretation of strict adherence to the Constitution. It does represent an expansion of federal government powers. Sometimes, we like it (and I do like the intent of the act) and sometimes we don't but Congressman Paul says no to any expansion not authorized in the Constitution. I think this could reasonably fall under the Commerce Clause, because insurance is usually bought interstate, but the commerce clause has been abused to no end.
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Posted 24 May 2008 at 12:15 am ¶
Funky Dung wrote:

If we don't want people to be discriminated against on the basis of genetic makeup, then let's amend the Constitution and enshrine genetic privacy as a basic human right. Let's not be writing laws willy-nilly.
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Posted 24 May 2008 at 11:48 am ¶
Funky Dung wrote:

I did not say GINA would be another affirmative action law, per se. I said, "I haven't formed an educated opinion of my own. From my gut, though, I'd say I'm wary of any government attempt to manage discrimination. Affirmative Action is a nightmare."
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Posted 24 May 2008 at 12:04 pm ¶

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From Is Discrimination Always Wrong? @ Ales Rarus on 24 May 2008 at 11:57 am ¶ [...] response to Gutter Ball Master's post, "Dr. Paul May Do Harm", I offer the following article as rebuttal. I do not claim to be in total agreement with it, [...]

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