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ACTION ALERT: January 31, 2005
1) Stop
Genetic Discrimination
2) Stop Discrimination Against Legal Travelers
Abroad
When legislators respond to you, please let us know! It is extremely
helpful for us to know if a legislator has a question, concerns,
or supports the legislation!
HOW TO USE THIS ACTION ALERT:
Each week, we highlight several key issues before the Washington
State Legislature which have a direct impact on our community
and community agencies. This Action Alert contains brief summaries
of the key issues before the Legislature this week. It also provides
you with direct e-mail links to your legislators and Legislative
leaders. We provide you with a draft e-mail text which you can
directly send or which you can modify to better represent your
thoughts on an issue. When you send an e-mail, please be sure
to fill out all of the information so that your legislator can
directly respond to you.
In this Alert
1) Ask Legislators to pass legislation barring discrimination in
life insurance based on genetic information
2) Urge Legislators to support legislation to bar discrimination
based on past legal travel (Israel)
The Mood
Today is the 22nd day of the 105-day (scheduled) legislative session.
Things are beginning to heat up, with bills making their way to
the floor and a few being voted on and passed out of their respective
legislative chamber. The legislature is starting to think about
the prospect of the 2005-2007 budget and deliberations that
will surround the various proposals. Hundreds of bills have been
introduced by now, with a small minority likely to pass.
You might want to know how some of the issues we have highlighted
are faring. At this point, Substitute House Bill (SHB) 1154 - mental
health parity - passed the House of Representatives. SHB 1154 passed
with a bipartisan 67-25 vote (to see exactly which legislator voted
for it: http://flooractivityext.leg.wa.gov/rollcall/rollcall.aspx?id=5114),
and now waits for a hearing in the Senate. Remember, both houses
must approve legislation before sending it on to the Governor.
Speaking of Governor Gregoire, Olympia watchers are expecting a
budget proposal from her around the third week of February. This
would precede the state revenue forecast in mid-March. This forecast
is expected to project significantly increased revenue for the
state.
Adults
1)
Issue: Genetic Discrimination in Life Insurance
Update: Senate Bill 5452 will be heard in the Senate Financial Institutions,
Housing & Consumer Protection Committee on Wednesday 2/2 at 3:30.
As you may recall from the past few years, Washington State was one
of the last states to enact legislation that would explicitly protect
the genetic information of individuals from being used in a discriminatory
manner.
As the Jewish community is aware, many communities have been shown
to have a higher propensity for a variety of cancer-linked genes
in genetic studies (i.e. African Americans with Sickle Cell Anemia
and Eastern European Jews with certain genes associated with breast
cancer, ovarian cancer and Tay Sachs). And, there have been abuses.
There have been two national cases involving the improper use of
genetic information to discriminate against groups or individuals
in employment (Berkeley Labs and Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad).
This legislation would protect from discrimination in Life Insurance
by:
1) Prohibiting the use of genetic information to adjust premium or
contribution limits. 2) Prohibiting the use of genetic information
as a condition of eligibility for coverage. 3) Prohibiting group
life insurance policy makers from using genetic information in setting
rates or making determinations concerning the rate or amount of premium
charged for a group life insurance or annuity policy, or in the benefits
payable.
Action: Contact your Senator
and urge him or her to enact this legislation.
(Thank them if they are sponsor --
for
a complete copy of the bill and a list of sponsors visit http://www.leg.wa.gov/wsladm/billinfo1/dspBillSummary.cfm?billnumber=5452&year=2005.)
Adults
2) Issue: Allowing Lawful Travelers to get Life Insurance
Update: As mentioned, thousands of bills will be introduced, but
only a small minority will pass. At this point in the session, about
a thousand bills have been introduced. Last week, working with the
Anti-Defamation League, two bills (identical) were introduced to
bar life insurers from discriminating against individuals who have
traveled abroad. It has come to our attention that a significant
number of members of our community have not been able to get life
insurance because they have traveled to Israel. House Bill 1561 (prime
sponsor Rep. Sherry Appleton) and Senate Bill 5530 (prime sponsor
Sen. Adam Kline) would prohibit discrimination in life insurance
based on lawful travel destinations.
To see the entire bill and list
of sponsors visit: http://www.leg.wa.gov/wsladm/billinfo1/dspBillSummary.cfm?billnumber=5530&year=2005 SB 5530 will be heard in the Senate Financial Institutions, Housing & Consumer
Protection Committee TOMMOROW at 3:30 PM.
Action: Contact your Senator
and urge them to support SB 5530
Government Affairs
The Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle
2031 Third Avenue
Seattle, WA 98121
Phone: 206.774.2248
Fax: 206.443.0303
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The
Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle was established 1926. Our
Mission is to ensure Jewish survival and enhance the quality of Jewish
life locally, in Israel and worldwide.
The
Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle
2031 Third Avenue
Seattle, WA 98121
Tel:
(206) 443-5400
Fax: (206) 443-0303
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