Genetic Information Nondiscrimination

The Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008 (GINA) was enacted on May 21, 2008 to protect Americans against discrimination based on their genetic information when it comes to health insurance and employment. GINA prohibits group health plans and health insurers from denying coverage or charging higher premiums to a healthy individual based solely on a genetic predisposition to developing a disease in the future. The legislation also bars employers from using individuals’ genetic information when making hiring, firing or promotion decisions. This means that if you decide to undergo genetic testing, you may have to share your results with your employer or insurance company (most likely if they pay for the testing), but if the results are shared, they cannot be used to make decisions about your employment or health insurance coverage.

The insurance provisions of the bill will take effect May 21, 2009, with the employment provisions going into effect on November 21, 2009. To read the actual bill, please click here.

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