CQ's Carey looks at genetic anti-discrimination measure, legislation to block Medicaid rules implementation, FDA hearings

Mary Agnes Carey, associate editor of CQ HealthBeat, examines Senate approval of genetic nondiscrimination legislation, House passage of a measure to block implementation of new Medicaid rules and hearings about FDA's need for increased inspection resources in this week's "Health on the Hill from kaisernetwork.org and CQ."

According to Carey, the Senate voted 95-0 to approve legislation that would prohibit employers and insurers from using any genetic screening test results when making employment or coverage decisions. The House has approved a different version of the measure, but the chamber is expected to pass the Senate version, Carey says. President Bush is expected to sign the bill.

Carey also discusses legislation approved by the House that would block for one year the implementation of several new Medicaid regulations proposed by the Bush administration. The House passed the bill with enough votes to override a presidential veto. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) has put the measure on a fast-track process, which eliminates committee consideration and brings the bill straight to the Senate floor. HHS Secretary Mike Leavitt has indicated that there likely will be opposition to the measure in the Senate, and some Senate Republicans have voiced support for the Medicaid rules.

Lastly, Carey discusses House and Senate committee hearings about FDA efforts to protect the nation's drug supply. At the hearings, lawmakers asked FDA officials how much additional federal funding the agency needs to increase overseas drug inspections. Carey says FDA officials made the case that a broader overhaul of the agency's efforts to track and inspect international production of drugs was just as necessary as increasing the number of FDA inspectors abroad. They also stressed that drug makers should be held more responsible for the quality of the ingredients manufactured overseas and that FDA needs to have a comprehensive database of those manufacturers to help track possible problems. Carey adds that debate over this issue likely will continue for much of this year.

The complete audio version of "Health on the Hill," transcript and resources for further research are available online at kaisernetwork.org.