Genetic discrimination addressed
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Australia is banning life insurers from using genetic test results to determine coverage.
The Federal Government has announced changes aimed at preventing discrimination based on genetic predisposition, ensuring that Australians can undergo life-saving genetic testing without fear of losing access to life insurance.
Genetic testing is becoming an essential tool for diagnosing and treating various heritable conditions and cancers, but concerns over insurance discrimination have discouraged many from accessing the tests.
Assistant Treasurer Stephen Jones says the change will give Australians “the confidence to undertake genetic testing without fear it will impact their ability to access financial security through life insurance”.
The ban follows extensive public consultation, in which more than 97 per cent of over 1,000 submissions favoured a total ban.
Submissions said insurers have discriminated by using adverse genetic test results to deny coverage, increase premiums, or impose restrictive policy terms.
This practice can impact people at risk of certain heritable conditions, even if they are healthy, by treating them as high-risk based solely on their genetic predisposition.
The new law will undergo a review every five years to monitor its impact and ensure it keeps pace with advancements in genomic science.
Australian Medical Association President, Professor Steve Robson, praised the decision, saying it removes a significant financial disincentive for people needing genetic tests.
“We know that the fear of being denied insurance coverage has been a huge disincentive”, he said, adding that the change “is an enormous step forward for health care in this country”.
Genomic and legal experts have also supported the ban too.
Dr Jane Tiller from Monash University said it is a major victory for consumer protection, which will also “safeguard [the] future of genomic medicine, precision health and medical research”.
“This policy reform will provide certainty to consumers and allow Australians to make genetic testing decisions based on their health rather than fears of financial discrimination,” she said.
Christine Cupitt, CEO of the Council of Australian Life Insurers, added that the industry supports the decision, noting that insurers have taken steps since 2019 to manage the use of genetic tests.
She welcomed the government’s decision to include a five-year review in the legislation, which will ensure the law remains relevant as genetic science progresses.