Need for federal legislation that protects the use of genetic information in employment and insurance coverage

Agree with all said herein...get this on the books now before it's too late and we lose any more privileges as citizens as this will happen....from the American College of Physicians....a new kind of discrimination looming in the very near future....BD

A policy monograph highlighting the need for federal protections against genetic discrimination in employment and insurance practices was released 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 they're 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."
Position 1: Insurance providers should be prohibited from using an individual's 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 individual's genetic information or request for genetic screening.
Position 3: Employers should be prohibited from using an individual's genetic information in employment decisions, such as hiring, promoting, or terminating an employee or establishing the terms, conditions, and benefits or employment.
Position 4: Insurers and employers should be prohibited from requiring individuals and families to undergo genetic testing.
Position 5: Insurers and employers should be prohibited from collecting and/or disclosing an individual or family's genetic information. Written and informed consent should be required for each disclosure of genetic information and should include to whom the disclosure is made.
Position 6: Congress should establish comprehensive and uniform federal protection against genetic discrimination that closes the gaps in protection due to varying state laws. Federal protection should also cover ERISA health plans.