AIDS Premium Law Overturned

WASHINGTON — The Senate voted today to overturn a District of Columbia law prohibiting insurance companies from discriminating against people who test positively for the AIDS virus.

Sen. Jesse Helms (R-N.C.) called on the Senate to veto the law, saying those “at high risk for developing a disease (should) pay a higher premium” to insurance companies. “The citizens of the district lose, and lose big, because of a small group,” Helms said. The Senate voted 53 to 42 not to kill the Helms move and then approved it on a voice vote.