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House Agrees To Block Insurers From Using Genetic Information To Price Policies

Leon County Judge John Cooper on June 30, 2022, in a screen grab from The Florida Channel.
peterschreiber.media
/
The Florida Channel
Leon County Judge John Cooper on June 30, 2022, in a screen grab from The Florida Channel.
Leon County Judge John Cooper on June 30, 2022, in a screen grab from The Florida Channel.
Credit peterschreiber.media / Adobe Stock
/
The Florida Channel

The Florida House has done its part to make sure life, disability and long term care insurers can’t use a person’s genetic data against them. The bill, approved by the House Wednesday, adds to protections already in place by the federal government. Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis has been adamant about the need to make the change.

"When the Department of Defense comes out and they tell all the members of the military don’t participate with DNA testing there’s a concern there," expressed Patronis. "This is a credit to the Speaker Designate his leadership in trying to protect all Floridians."

The concern is that insurers may use genetic markers found in DNA as a reason to influence premiums. Genetic markers could indicate a heightened risk of developing certain diseases or health conditions.

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Blaise Gainey is a Multimedia Reporter for WFSU News. Blaise hails from Windermere, Florida. He graduated from The School of Journalism at the Florida A&M University. He formerly worked for The Florida Channel, WTXL-TV, and before graduating interned with WFSU News. He is excited to return to the newsroom. In his spare time he enjoys watching sports, Netflix, outdoor activities and anything involving his daughter.