A bill aimed at preventing discrimination based on a person’s genetic information that had stalled for years in the Senate moved to the House of Commons for first reading Tuesday.

Liberal MP Rob Oliphant, who will shepherd it through the House of Commons as a private member’s bill, said at a news conference Tuesday that despite concerns raised by the insurance industry over the legislation, he thinks the bill will ultimately benefit their industry.

“I actually am of the opinion that better health outcomes are good for insurance companies,” he told reporters.

“They have people who are healthier, they have people who frankly pay premiums for a longer period of time, they have people who live longer and do better and if they actually have prophylactic or preventative treatments due to it, their risk drops.

“I’d like to flip it upside down – they should be encouraging this.”

At Senate committee hearings on the bill, insurance industry representatives warned that if the bill turns into law, the country could see large premium increases from people who test positive for genetic health issues keeping their results private yet still purchasing a lot of insurance.

Oliphant also said he’ll be encouraging provinces and territories to make their own corresponding legislation over next few years as well, although he said he thinks it’s important that the federal government lead the charge on human rights issues.

Liberal Senate Leader James Cowan had championed bill S-201, the Genetic Non-Discrimination Act, would keep the results of genetic tests, which can tell if a person predisposed to get a particular disease or condition, private from businesses and individuals.

The bill had stalled a number of times in the Senate, and the 2013 Harper government throne speech outlined an intention to draft similar legislation, although never did.

While Cowan was discouraged that it had taken so long to progress, in a previous interview he said he’s optimistic it will pass through the Commons as well.