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Maryland lawmaker fighting to make sure genetic testing won't impact insurance coverage

As genetic testing technology advances, so do potential consequences. Could results impact life insurance coverage?

ANNAPOLIS, Md. — Could your DNA be used against you? Genetic testing has helped us find ancestors and potential health risks, but could that information cost you?  That’s a fear that one Maryland lawmaker wants to stop.

Whether it’s a “23 and Me” or doctor-ordered genetic test, the potential secrets of our bodies can be unlocked. But, how those secrets get shared creates new issues.   

State Del. Nic Kipke of Anne Arundel County started looking into some of the conflicts of genetic testing when a group of ALS advocates reached out to him

RELATED: What are genetic testing companies doing with your DNA?

"Increasingly, new information is being found out about ourselves through our DNA,” Kipke explained.

“People have the markers (for genetic diseases) and never end up getting the illness.”

Could the potential for predisposed disease or condition affect your insurance status?

Federal law prohibits health insurance companies from using genetic testing results in your insurance coverage evaluation.  However, there is no law for life insurance or disability insurance. That’s where Del. Kipke’s work comes in.

“My bill would seek to not allow that information to be tabulated when someone seeks to get insured,” he explained.

When we asked the American Council of life Insurers about the bill. A spokesperson shared this statement:

“We are still reviewing the details of the bill. Life insurance companies are always looking for ways to provide financial protection at more affordable rates. Advances in science, medicine and treatments have always provided these opportunities…”

Del. Kipke said he is excited about the advances of genetic information. But he also wants to make sure that in all the advances, privacy for Marylanders remains paramount.

His bill is due for a hearing next month.  Del. Kipke said similar bills have already been passed into law in other states.

   

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