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Genetic screening and its impact on health insurance availability
Abstract
My research examines the milieu out of which public policy governing the use of genetic screening tests by health insurers to determine eligibility, rates and terms of coverage will continue to evolve. I provide normative and empirical analyses of policy development in this newly emerging and highly technical policy area. Historic parallels are drawn upon to argue that societal prejudices will come into play to influence policy dialogue and policy development in this area. I then demonstrate that policy making is presently in an experimental phase at both the state and federal level as policy makers attempt to find strategies to address the use of genetic screening information by health insurers. In order to empirically examine the possible course of legislative representation in the area, surveys of the Nebraska Unicameral and the Nebraska public were conducted. Findings from the surveys suggest that policy makers and the public presently do not have a high level of knowledge in this area. However, both groups are strongly opposed to the use of genetic screening information by health insurers to determine eligibility, rates, and terms of coverage. The media is identified as an important player in framing the policy debate for both the public and legislators. Therefore, long-term policy development will be premised on how the social construction of target groups is articulated by the media and those looked upon by legislators and the public as area experts. Finally, because of the low informational levels of the public, the debate over the use of genetic screening will probably not be a broadly based debate where everyone will be able to play a meaningful role. Legislators need to consider this as they pursue policy development if they are indeed to act as public trustees in the law-making process.
Subject Area
Political science|Genetics|Health care
Recommended Citation
Imperato, Pamela R. Lee, "Genetic screening and its impact on health insurance availability" (1997). ETD collection for University of Nebraska-Lincoln. AAI9812356.
https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/dissertations/AAI9812356