Need for federal protection against genetic disc...( Washington A policy monograph highl...)
Washington A policy monograph highlighting the need for federal protections against genetic discrimination in employment and insurance practices was released today by the American College of Physicians (ACP). The six policy positions ACP believes should be included in the federal protections are the focus of the policy paper. http://www.acponline.org/advocacy/where_we_stand/policy/index.html.
While theyre not quite there, Congress does continue to move closer to passing federal legislation that protects the use of genetic information in employment and insurance coverage decisions, noted David C. Dale, MD, FACP president of the 125,000 member ACP. This monograph is important for the ongoing discussion.
ACPs first two positions consider insurance providers:
Position 1: Insurance providers should be prohibited from using an individuals genetic information to deny or limit health coverage or establish eligibility, enrollment, or premium contribution requirements.
Position 2: Insurance providers should be prohibited from establishing differential premiums based on an individuals genetic information or request for genetic screening.
ACPs policy positions result from a March 2007 survey conducted by the John Hopkins Genetics and Public Policy Center. It found that 86 percent of patients trust their physicians and 66 percent of patients trust genetic researchers with access to their genetic information. However, most people do not trust health insurers and employers not to misuse their genetic information through disclosure or discriminatory practices- should they have access to it.
The Colleges third position says:
Position 3: Employers should be prohibited from using an individuals genetic information in employment decisions, such as hiring, promoting, or terminating an employee or establishing the terms, conditions,
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| Contact: David Kinsman dkinsman@acponline.org 202-261-4554 American College of Physicians Source:Eurekalert |
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