Rep. DelBene Introduces Bill on Disclosing Individuals’ Use, Non-Use of Contraceptives

WASHINGTON, July 29 -- Rep. Suzan DelBene, D-Wash., has introduced legislation (H.R. 3443) to amend the Public Health Service Act "to prohibit wellness programs, including those offered by health insurance issuers or in connection with a group health plan, from disclosing personally identifiable information related to individuals' use or non-use of contraceptives."

The bill was introduced on July 27 and has 46 co-sponsors. Co-sponsors include Reps. Katherine M. Clark, D-Mass., Jackie Speier, D-Calif., Gregory W. Meeks, D-N.Y., Kathleen Rice, D-N.Y., Grace F. Napolitano, D-Calif., Elijah E. Cummings, D-Md., Pete Aguilar, D-Calif., Judy Chu, D-Calif., Betty McCollum, D-Minn., Mark Takano, D-Calif., Tim Ryan, D-Ohio, Carolyn B. Maloney, D-N.Y., David N. Cicilline, D-R.I., Eliot L. Engel, D-N.Y., Suzanne Bonamici, D-Ore., Alcee L Hastings, D-Fla., Debbie Wasserman Schultz, D-Fla., Dwight Evans, D-Pa., Derek Kilmer, D-Wash., Gwen Moore, D-Wis., Peter Welch, D-Vt., Louise Slaughter, D-N.Y., Denny Heck, D-Wash., Keith Ellison, D-Minn., Ro Khanna, D-Calif., Sean Patrick Maloney, D-N.Y., Zoe Lofgren, D-Calif., James McGovern, D-Mass., Ruben Gallego, D-Ariz., John Conyers Jr., D-Mich., Barbara Lee, D-Calif., Raul M. Grijalva, D-Ariz., Nydia M. Velazquez, D-N.Y., Jim Langevin, D-R.I., Kathy Castor, D-Fla., Danny K. Davis, D-Ill., Carol Shea-Porter, D-N.H., Robin Kelly, D-Ill., Nanette D. Barragan, D-Calif., Luis V. Gutierrez, D-Ill., Juan C. Vargas, D-Calif., Jerry McNerney, D-Calif., Linda T. Sanchez, D-Calif., William R. Keating, D-Mass., and Dels. Eleanor Holmes Norton, D-D.C., and Madeleine Z. Bordallo, D-Guam.

The legislation was referred to the House Energy and Commerce Committee.

For more information about this legislation, contact Rep. Suzan DelBene in Washington at 2442 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington, DC 20515; 202/225-6311; or in the district offices at Canyon Park Business Center, 22121 17th Ave., S.E., Bldg. E, Ste. 220, Bothell, WA 98021; 425/485-0085; 204 W. Montgomery St., Mount Vernon, WA 98273; 360/416-7879.

Myron Struck, editor, Targeted News Service, Springfield, Va., 703/304-1897; [email protected]; http://www.targetednews.com