Feds Want Info on Genetic Data

October 10, 2008

The Departments of Treasury, Labor, and Health and Human Services have issued a request for information about issues related to implementing the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008.

Enacted in May, the Act prohibits health insurers from using genetic information to adjust premium or contribution amounts for a group covered under a health plan. It also prohibits insurers from requiring an individual to take a genetic test.

The departments are seeking responses to nine questions covering issues in sections 101-104 of the Act, in advance of proposed rulemaking. The questions cover such areas as the extent to which insurers use genetic information and how it is obtained; the current circumstances under which an individual is asked to submit to a genetic test; the types of research insurers conduct or support using genetic test data; what parts of the law need additional clarification in the rules; and when genetic information may be collected incidentally.

Public comments are due by Dec. 9. Additional information is available in a notice published Oct. 10 in the Federal Register at gpoaccess.gov/fr/index.html.

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