Insurance industry accused of genetic discrimination

TONY EASTLEY: You've heard of age discrimination or discrimination on the basis of gender, but what about people suffering discrimination because of what's in their genes? A new study has found that the insurance industry is using genetic information to decide who gets cover and how much they pay.

Simon Santow reports.

SIMON SANTOW: About a thousand people who'd undergone some form of genetic testing were asked about their experiences with insurance companies. Ten per cent of them had run into problems.

KRISTINE BARLOW-STEWART: Life insurance was the most common domain of concern cited by these respondents.

SIMON SANTOW: Each was in good health and unaffected by the area of family medical history for which they'd been tested.

According to associate professor Kristine Barlow-Stewart from the Centre for Genetics Information at Sydney's Royal North Shore Hospital, there was plenty of evidence of discrimination. KRISTINE BARLOW-STEWART: There was a range of concerns cited. In some cases people had been denied insurance outright either on the basis of their family history or because of a genetic test result.

In other cases their insurance premiums were loaded excessively or in other cases exclusion clauses were inserted into their policies for claims of cover at the onset of particular illnesses.

SIMON SANTOW: Simply because they had answered yes to a question 'have you ever had a genetic test for cancer' or that sort of thing?

KRISTINE BARLOW-STEWART: Some of the insurance applications would have asked that question directly but regardless of whether they'd been asked that question directly or not, it is part of the contract when applying for a life insurance that you must tell the insurer all information that is known to you that is relevant to your risk assessment. That would include, of course, your family history but also the result of genetic testing undertaken by you or your close relatives.

SIMON SANTOW: Isn't there a certain irony in all of this that genetic testing of course is completely voluntary and if you didn't find out, you couldn't be discriminated against? KRISTINE BARLOW-STEWART: Yes, and of course that's one of the concerns that we have. In two cases in this study we now have confirmed evidence that fear of discrimination by insurance companies and other perhaps employers are preventing people from accessing genetic testing and deriving the benefits that they may get from that and then this is a very concerning issue.

SIMON SANTOW: Experts expect the problem of genetic discrimination to grow with the popularity of genetic testing and screening at a time when medical science is evolving and becoming even more sophisticated.

news source : http://www.abc.net.au/

Committee passes bill giving income tax deduction to offset health care costs

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Legislation that offers a tax break to offset the cost of health care has been approved by a state House committee. The measure by Rep. Jason Nelson would grant Oklahomans an income tax deduction equal to the amount paid by an individual for health insurance coverage. If approved, the credit would be available starting in 2010.

The measure passed out of the House Revenue and Taxation Subcommittee Thursday. The Oklahoma City Republican says the cost of insurance is so high that many people feel they cannot afford it. He says his bill will help offset that expense and hopefully reduce Oklahoma's estimated 600,000 uninsured residents. An estimated 1.18 million Oklahoma families and individuals would be able to deduct about $2.23 billion in health insurance premiums if the bill becomes law.

news soruce : http://www.kfsm.com/news/

New travel insurance for people living with medical conditions

MedicAlert and insurance broker Heath Lambert have partnered to offer a range of specialist insurance products for people living with medical conditions, disabilities and allergies. People with these pre-existing medical conditions often find it difficult to get personal insurance policies, such as travel insurance. The new range of insurance, available as part of Heath Lambert’s Unique Insurance Services, means people with medical conditions will be able to buy travel, life, home, motor and pet insurance and pension annuities from a specialist provider.

The insurance cover will be comprehensive and be offered at a competitive price. MedicAlert is a registered charity and MedicAlert members wear a bracelet or necklace containg vital contact and medical information. Full details of the medical condition are then held by MedicAlert’s emergency response service and these can be accessed by healthcare professionals in case of an emergency. At no additional cost to the purchaser, a donation will be made to MedicAlert. This insurance cover is available for those suffering with the medical condition, their families and carers as well as supporters of MedicAlert.

news source : http://www.moneyhighstreet.com/finance-news