Genetics Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008 1
Genetics Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008
Jacqueline Arnold
HCA 322
Instructor: Ken Feifer
Date: May 26, 2015
GINA of 2008 1 The Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008, also referred to as GINA, is a new federal law that protects Americans from being treated unfairly because of differences in their DNA that may affect their health. The new law prevents discrimination from health insurers and employers. The President George W.Bush, signed the act into federal law on May 21, 2008.
This act had been an issue in congress for 13 years, and by the time this act was enacted in 2008, there was 47 states that had laws against banning genetics discrimination in health insurance, and there was 35 states had laws proscribing genetics discrimination in employment. The parts of the law relating to health insurers will take effect by May 2009, and those relating to employers will take effect by November 2009. The law was needed to help ease concerns about discrimination that might keep some people from getting genetic tests that could benefit their health (Federal-law/GINA, 2008). The law also enable people to take part in research studies without fear that their DNA information might be used against them in health insurance or the workplace. The law protects people from discrimination by health insurers and employers on the basis of DNA information.
The law does not cover life insurance, disability insurance and long-term care insurance. Before the federal law was passed, many states had passed laws against genetic discrimination. The degree of protection from these laws varies widely among the different states. The federal law sets a minimum standard of protection that must be met in all states. It does not weaken the protections provided by any state law.(Federal-law/GINA,2008) More and more tests are being developed to find DNA differences that affect our health. called genetic tests, these tests will
Jacqueline Arnold
HCA 322
Instructor: Ken Feifer
Date: May 26, 2015
GINA of 2008 1 The Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008, also referred to as GINA, is a new federal law that protects Americans from being treated unfairly because of differences in their DNA that may affect their health. The new law prevents discrimination from health insurers and employers. The President George W.Bush, signed the act into federal law on May 21, 2008.
This act had been an issue in congress for 13 years, and by the time this act was enacted in 2008, there was 47 states that had laws against banning genetics discrimination in health insurance, and there was 35 states had laws proscribing genetics discrimination in employment. The parts of the law relating to health insurers will take effect by May 2009, and those relating to employers will take effect by November 2009. The law was needed to help ease concerns about discrimination that might keep some people from getting genetic tests that could benefit their health (Federal-law/GINA, 2008). The law also enable people to take part in research studies without fear that their DNA information might be used against them in health insurance or the workplace. The law protects people from discrimination by health insurers and employers on the basis of DNA information.
The law does not cover life insurance, disability insurance and long-term care insurance. Before the federal law was passed, many states had passed laws against genetic discrimination. The degree of protection from these laws varies widely among the different states. The federal law sets a minimum standard of protection that must be met in all states. It does not weaken the protections provided by any state law.(Federal-law/GINA,2008) More and more tests are being developed to find DNA differences that affect our health. called genetic tests, these tests will
References: Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008. www.asende.com Genetic Information H.R. 493-110th Congress 2007-2008). www.congress.gov/110th-congress/house-bill/493 Federal Law/ GINA of 2008 www.healthinfolaw.org