Federal Regulation of Use of Genetic Information by Insurers

Ellwood Oakley

North American Actuarial Journal, 1999, vol. 3, issue 1, 116-127

Abstract: This paper analyzes policy developments at the national level during 1997, including proposed federal legislation and the response of the insurance industry. With broad bipartisan support, it appears that some form of federal regulation is likely within the next two sessions of Congress. The debate appears to be centering on two issues: the definition of genetic information and whether regulation will extend to a blanket prohibition on testing. The insurance industry is suggesting that restrictions based on an “unfair discrimination” standard would permit coverage and cost distinctions based on actuarially sound data, while the health care industry is opposed to any discrimination based on genetic information. A utilitarian ethical perspective would likely support restrictions on testing for life insurance but not health insurance.

Date: 1999
References: Add references at CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

Downloads: (external link)
http://hdl.handle.net/10.1080/10920277.1999.10595781 (text/html)
Access to full text is restricted to subscribers.

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:taf:uaajxx:v:3:y:1999:i:1:p:116-127

Ordering information: This journal article can be ordered from
http://www.tandfonline.com/pricing/journal/uaaj20

DOI: 10.1080/10920277.1999.10595781

Access Statistics for this article

North American Actuarial Journal is currently edited by Kathryn Baker

More articles in North American Actuarial Journal from Taylor & Francis Journals
Bibliographic data for series maintained by Chris Longhurst ().