So I recently read an article on a popular forum online regarding a new bill that was proposed to the House and Legislature in North Carolina. Now, usually I would not be interested in some bill that was only just proposed, but this bill would require that employees submit a genetic test form as part of their application process for the companies health plans. In the article, they even make mention to the film Gattaca, where genetic discrimination is the norm, and people need to also submit gene tests to their employers, albeit for more than just the ability to use the companies health plan. Proponents of this bill say that it is easier to keep a healthy workforce, rather than pay excessive amounts for a constantly unhealthy workforce. Thus, they want to know of any genetic issues that an employee may have, and offer health incentives such as monetary bonus, or paying for the cost of gym memberships for those who maintain a healthy lifestyle. While this may seem like a step in the right direction regarding the health of their employees, those who are genetically prone to being ill or contracting a certain disease just due to their genes would only be offered a higher premium for their healthcare that is given by their employer, or else find a separate health insurance provider on their own.
I for one think that this is a horrible idea. It not only forces all employees to submit a gene test, giving away much more personal information than what most people feel comfortable giving, but it also literally discriminates against those who have conditions that they have no control over. These gene tests are also not 100% proven, and only give their best estimate. For most things that are tested for, the results only return a percentage of how likely it is for that person to contract or develop that specific disease. How will employers determine the threshold? If an employee just so happens to be just 1% above the threshold they are forced into these company regulations, while another employee may fall just 1% below and face no repercussions at all. Yet employee 1 is only 2% more likely to contract some illness than employee 2. A better way to handle this, in my opinion, would be to not allow any sort of mandatory gene testing to occur by the employee, but possibly the employee can volunteer some sort of regular physical in order to get discounts on their medical insurance. Such that it encourages employees to maintain a healthy lifestyle and save some money, while those who do not wish to maintain a healthy lifestyle don't lose, or gain anything other than what they would have already had to pay. ARTICLE
1 Comment
Cammron Keehley
5/23/2017 09:17:39 pm
Hey Martin,
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