Genetic Fairness Act of 1996

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Labor and Human Resources.

Congressional Research Service

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in Senate · Mar 7, 1996

Genetic Fairness Act of 1996 - Prohibits an insurer offering a health plan from: (1) discriminating against an individual or family member on the basis of genetic information or on the basis of an individual's or family member's request for or receipt of genetic services; or (2) requiring a genetic test or questions relating to genetic information. Requires insurers to disclose enrollee rights. Provides for enforcement by State insurance commissioners, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, and private actions.

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People & committees

Who introduced it

Sen. Feinstein, Dianne [D-CA] · D–CA

Committees

Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee

1 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Sen. Mack, Connie, III [R-FL]

Legislative record

Actions

A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.

Mar 7, 1996
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Labor and Human Resources.
Mar 7, 1996
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S1652-1653)
Mar 7, 1996
Introduced in Senate

Primary sources

Bill text & related measures

Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.

Introduced in Senate · Mar 7, 1996 Formatted Text PDF

Related bills identified by Congress.gov

No related bills are listed in this snapshot. This does not establish whether the proposal has appeared in earlier Congresses.

Source last updated: Aug 21, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

AI Conversation Starters

Explore the bill from different angles

Choose a perspective, copy a prompt, and paste it into your preferred AI. Each prompt includes the bill version and available official source links, and asks for counterarguments as well as supporting evidence.

Neutral evidence review

Objective

Analyze S.1600 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

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Discuss S.1600, 104th Congress: Genetic Fairness Act of 1996

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/104th-congress/senate-bill/1600

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 1996-03-07.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/104/bills/s1600/BILLS-104s1600is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-21T20:16:02Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Analyze S.1600 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

Examine S.1600 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss S.1600, 104th Congress: Genetic Fairness Act of 1996

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/104th-congress/senate-bill/1600

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 1996-03-07.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/104/bills/s1600/BILLS-104s1600is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-21T20:16:02Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine S.1600 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

Examine S.1600 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss S.1600, 104th Congress: Genetic Fairness Act of 1996

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/104th-congress/senate-bill/1600

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 1996-03-07.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/104/bills/s1600/BILLS-104s1600is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-21T20:16:02Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine S.1600 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

Examine S.1600 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss S.1600, 104th Congress: Genetic Fairness Act of 1996

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/104th-congress/senate-bill/1600

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 1996-03-07.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/104/bills/s1600/BILLS-104s1600is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-21T20:16:02Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine S.1600 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.