As DNA technology increases, will health insurance companies be able to use genetic screening to deny coverage

Question

to anyone whose genes aren’t in perfect working order?

Answer 1

I think so, because they will know exactly what your health problems are going to be. If they can someday screen you and say, "hey, at age 38 you will get breast cancer", you probably won't be able to get health insurance. You would be a "bad investment."

Personally, I think the government will have to enact laws to keep insurance companies from doing this. Pretty soon, people will want to discriminate based on your genes!

They have quite a bit of our genes mapped out. They know the defects that cause some specific diseases, but the key is figuring out what codes for traits that are normal. Hair color, etc. Genetic screening will definitely help save lives because you know what you need to do to prevent certain disorders, but there will be a problem with health insurance. I'm sure, however, that the government will do something about it, so it probably won't be a problem. It will be more of a prevention method.

Answer 2

NO! In 2008, the Bush administration signed the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act which offers protection mainly in the domains of health insurance and employment. Insurance companies cannot require screening either. Unless this legislature is overturned, you cannot be denied coverage.

Answer 3

Any person whose genetic makeup suggests that they have increased susceptibility for a particular disease represents a risk for the insurance company. If the company knows about this increased possibility of disease, it is likely that they will either deny coverage or increase the cost of coverage.

Answer 4

It's certainly possible, and it is a concern to some. What insurance company would want to insure someone who's predisposed to become diabetic?

I think it is more likely that they will jack up the insurance rates to people with possible genetic abnormalities. If they only give insurance to people with flawless genes, they will be giving insurance to very few people indeed.

Answer 5

How can an insurance employer deny insurance to a coverage holder by ability of claiming rape is a previously-latest concern? If somebody walks out into his backyard, is stung by ability of a bee, and then develops a extreme allergic reaction, is an insurer going to declare the bee sting is likewise a previously latest concern and any therapy the guy could receive isn't lined? Congress could desire to pass a separate regulation prohibiting insurers from refusing to cover previously latest circumstances. Many circumstances that pass untreated could worsen over the years and ultimately be plenty greater costly to handle. This provision shouldn't harm well being insurers. they are able to regulate their expenses by ability of sophistication (say for fifty to 60 3 hundred and sixty 5 days-olds) according to annum if their claims journey is extreme. I study a checklist formerly immediately that Obamacare is basically not completely carried out until 2019. i assume that's noted as "government in action."

Answer 6

Very likely; they already do similar screening. Most likely, it will involve much higher rates for anybody considered "at risk" (which will likely be most of us) rather than flat-out denial of coverage. Maximization of profit-margins is the guiding rule for any corporation, which is why you generally don't see casinos turning away too many people; you can't profit if they don't play.

Answer 7

I wouldn't be surprised life insurance companies already do it. If your parent or sibling had certain conditions you can be declined for a policy. It's nothing new just totaly unfair.

Answer 8

Nope. When that time comes, healthcare coverage will be socialized, and we'll have the "single payer" coverage that the Democrats keep talking about.

Answer 9

yes, they will try to. We need laws to protect individuals. But eventually the detection will lead to a treatment so once you have a treatment you won't care because they will be paying for the treatment.

Answer 10

It sounds a bit Orwellian but probably so!