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Plan to prevent insurance discrimination based on genetic testing is welcome
12th Sep 2024
The Federal Government’s announcement that it will prevent insurers being able to discriminate based on adverse predictive genetic test results is welcome, says the Australian Lawyers Alliance (ALA).
"We welcome this announcement and look forward to reviewing the legislation in detail," said Michelle James, National President, Australian Lawyers Alliance (ALA). "It is good news that an individual’s decision to have genetic testing no longer needs to consider the potential impact on their ability to obtain insurance.
"The life insurance industry’s partial, self-regulated moratorium on using genetic results has not sufficiently protected consumers, so this legislation banning insurers from using genetic testing results in life insurance underwriting is critical."
The ALA has been concerned about the demonstrated impact of genetic testing results on life insurance options – including life cover, total and permanent disability insurance, trauma insurance, and income protection insurance – for those Australians who have undertaken genetic testing.
"The unfairness inherent in the previous practice was of great concern to us," said Ms James.
"It is unfair to financially penalise Australians who have made responsible health decisions by limiting their access to insurance based on genetic testing results."
The ALA made a submission to the Federal Government’s inquiry into the use of genetic testing results in life insurance underwriting earlier this year.
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