<<Disclaimer: Verify this information before applying it to your situation.>>

Earlier today, President Bush signed the Genetic Information
Nondiscrimination Act (GINA).  This legislation is vital to all individuals
who have, or whose family member may have, a genetic condition such as
celiac disease.

 

This landmark law, which I personally worked on when it was first introduced
in 1995, BARS insurance companies from requiring individuals to undergo
genetic testing and BARS insurance companies from using an individual’s
genetic information in setting insurance premiums for a group plan or an
individual health insurance plan.  

 

It is very important to note that the new law does not prevent insurers from
declining to offer coverage, based on an individual’s current health status.
Meaning, if you currently know you have celiac disease, even though this is
a genetic condition, an insurance company can refuse to offer you insurance.
It also does not require an insurance plan to pay for genetic tests.  

 

A chart detailing what the new law does and does not do, has been prepared
by the Genetics & Public Policy Center at Johns Hopkins University

 

HYPERLINK
"http://www.dnapolicy.org/resources/WhatGINAdoesanddoesnotdochart.pdf"http:/
/www.dnapolicy.org/resources/WhatGINAdoesanddoesnotdochart.pdf

 

The American Celiac Disease Alliance (and its predecessor the American
Celiac Task Force) has been a supporter of this legislation since 2003.  

 

Additional information about the new law and a Q & A with medical experts
will be posted to our website in the next few days.

 

 

Andrea Levario

American Celiac Disease Alliance  

 

 

 


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