Government MP Julian Hill joins calls for total ban on genetic tests in life insurance assessments

Life insurers can legally discriminate against and deny cover to people who have undergone genetic testing , by refusing or capping cover.

Julian Hill had his "eyes opened" to the risks of genetic testing after what happened to his daughter.Mr Hill's daughter, Elanor Devitt, was healthy, fit and only 20 when a potentially deadly blood clot formed in her leg while she was travelling overseas. "I have this condition for life. I didn't ask to have it. It's something I have to live with now," she said.Mr Hill is now calling on his colleague Stephen Jones, the minister for financial services, to urgently implement a total ban on the use of genetic testing in life insurance underwriting.

"But while we are promoting genetic health, on the other hand, the explicit exemption that currently exists in Australian law allows life insurers to genetically discriminate against people. "Every time someone considers whether they want to have a genetic test or wants to be part of genetic research, we have to tell them that life insurance implications might be part of signing up for that," Dr Tiller said.

"People who were trying to apply for cover that was over those limits could be discriminated against. The other issue was this is … not enforceable at law. It doesn't change the underlying right legally of insurers to have this information." "It has never been the intention of the life insurance industry to deter people from taking genetic tests that give them more information about their overall health," she said in a statement.

"I don't want to have to regret understanding your own heritage and health and try to do things to live a longer, happier, healthier life."

Source: Insurance Report (insurancereport.net)

Factor 5 Leiden Insurance Canada Julian Hill Bruce

Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines

Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.

Government must defy alcohol lobby to help end family violence, say advocates and MPsAdvocates and MPs say the government must stand up to the alcohol lobby if it's serious about stopping violence against women and children.
Source: abcnews - 🏆 5. / 83 Read more »

Federal Labor MPs revolt over government gas strategy, 'blindsided' by policy 'championing' fossil fuelsLabor backbenchers say they were caught off guard by the government's new gas policy, which the Resources minister says will keep the fossil fuel in Australia's energy mix until 2050 'and beyond'.
Source: abcnews - 🏆 5. / 83 Read more »

Labor and Greens gag debate on fuel efficiency standards in deal on offshore gas billProcedural moves outrage Coalition, independent MPs and senator David Pocock, who says government ‘selling us out’
Source: GuardianAus - 🏆 1. / 98 Read more »

RecipeTin Eats’ Nagi Maehashi opts out of $7m Hunters Hill house after three monthsThe heritage Victorian manor settled in the name of the best-selling author in March. As it returns to the market the question is: will she recoup her money?
Source: smh - 🏆 6. / 80 Read more »

Trump conviction sparks sharply divergent reactions on Capitol HillRepublican House speaker bemoans ‘shameful day’ while Democrats praise strength of justice system
Source: GuardianAus - 🏆 1. / 98 Read more »

Donald Trump giving 'serious consideration' to Julian Assange's push to be pardonedDonald Trump has weighed in on whether he would pardon the WikiLeaks founder, who is appealing extradition to the United States.
Source: SBSNews - 🏆 3. / 89 Read more »