The House of Representatives approved the Senate’s version of the Genetic Information Non-Discrimination Act (GINA, H.R. 493) by a vote of 414-1, and the AP reports that President “Bush was expected soon to sign the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act, which lawmakers and advocates called ‘the first major civil rights act of the 21st century.'” The law takes effect 18 months after enactment.

The outcome of the House Federal Workforce subcommittee hearing on Tuesday, April 29, was a substitute bill (HR 5550) to create a voluntary, supplemental health insurance program for young adults who lose FEHB coverage at age 22. According to a Federal Times report, the program which would be similar to the FEDVIP program is expected to offer lower programs than the current temporary continuation of coverage offered to folks who lose their FEHB coverage (similar to COBRA continuation coverage in the private sector.

Govexec.com reports that Sen. Clinton has introduced a bill (S 2916) to require government contractors, including FEHB plan carriers, to self-report criminal conduct and overpayments. Her bill’s objective is similar to a bill that the House of Representatives approved last month. Goveexec.com explains that

Clinton’s bill would build on the Close the Contractor Fraud Loophole Act (H.R. 5712), which passed the House by a voice vote on April 23. Sen. Claire McCaskill, D-Mo., introduced an identical companion bill in the Senate, which she expects to include in the National Defense Authorization Act.Sponsored by Rep. Peter Welch, D-Vt., the House bill closes the overseas loophole in proposed changes to the Federal Acquisition Regulation, which would require contractors to self-report certain procurement violations. The administration has said the exemption was a “drafting error” and that it is fixing it through a standard regulatory process.