Sen. Coburn blocks Slaughter’s GINA Bill
Wow, my dander’s so up over this that you’d need the Hubble Space Telescope to see it.
I thought about titling this article “Why Does Sen. Coburn (R-OK) Hate Kids With Disabilities?” Because, effectively, that’s what’s going on here. Louise Slaughter has been championing the GINA (Genetic Non-Discrimination Act) bill for about 14 years now. It basically says this: you can’t do things like deny insurance coverage based on someone’s genetic profile. This will not only protect those who ALREADY have the misfortune of being born with a genetic problem, but, as this Buffalo News article points out:
Supporters of Slaughter’s bill said the fear of such discrimination stands in the way of genetic research that could lead to miraculous health care breakthroughs.
It’s a “clean bill” with no earmarks and what-not, it’s got broad bi-partisan support (it passed the House, 420-3!) and Bush was even going to sign it. A bill doesn’t get to be more no-brainer than that unless it’s commending Boy Scouts for saving fuzzy puppies.
And as a father of a beautiful, amazing boy with Cerebral Palsy, who could potentially “get a life” in a very real sense from breakthroughs in genetic research, I am thoroughly disgusted at Senator Coburn standing alone, in the way of that progress.
The Buff News also has a good editorial on the subject: Bill block unwarranted
(hat tip to reader A)
Excellent post!
Did Coburn give any reason for opposing the bill?
Sounds to me like Coburn needs to spend ONE (1) WEEK in a wheelchair to understand and learn the compassion needed to pass this bill. Just ONE WEEK - I dare him.
Coburn said that he opposed this because trial lawyers might abuse it. You have to understand, Coburn hasn’t done this just one… but 87 times. They call him “Dr. No” in the Senate.
As a person in a wheelchair, this disgusts me. Some phone calls may be necessary.
[...] Turning's bythepeople also questioned why this bill is on hold: It’s a “clean bill” with no earmarks and what-not, it’s got broad [...]