A survey of commercial insurers, Blue Cross and Blue Shield plans and HMO1s that offer individual or medically underwritten group policies, and their attitude toward reimbursement for genetic tests or policies for using tests results in underwriting. Summarizes information about cystic fibrosis and presents additional results that pertain to the broader topic of health insurers1 practices and attitudes toward genetic information and genetic tests for diseases other than cystic fibrosis. 22 tables and charts.

Witnesses: Francis Collins, Director, Nat. Human Genome Research Inst., Nat. Inst. of Health (NIH); Gary Claxton, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation, U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services (HHS); Christine Brunswick, Nat. Breast Cancer Coalition; Judith Palkovitz, Hadassah; Jodi Rucquoi, Dept. of Genetics, Yale Univ. School of Med.; Joanne Denise, Nat. Assoc. of Health Underwriters; Jack Ehnes, commissioner of insur., State of Colorado, for the Nat. Assoc. of Insur. Commissioners; and Mary Lehnhard, Blue Cross/Blue Shield Association. Also, prepared statement by the Health Insur. Assoc. of America.

A complete review of the issues with specific recommendations and guidelines. With over 1,000 tests commercially available, genetic testing is revolutionizing medicine. Health care professionals diagnosing and treating patients today must consider genetic factors, the risks and limitations of genetic testing, and the relevant law. Genetic Testing: Care, Consent, and Liability offers the only complete, practical treatment of the genetic, clinical, ethical, and legal issue surrounding genetic testing. The authors present protocols, policies, and models of care that are currently in use, and explain the legal framework for genetic testing and counseling that has developed in North America, particularly with regard to the law of medical malpractice. This essential book features an international roster of esteemed contributors including, Nancy P. Callanan, Bonnie S. LeRoy, Carole H. Browner, H. Mabel Preloran, Riyana Babul-Hirji, Cheryl Shuman, M.J. Esplen, Maren T. Scheuner, Dena S. Davis, JonBeckwith, Lisa Geller, Mark A. Hall, Andrew R. MacRae, David Chitayat, Roxanne Mykitiuk, Stephanie Turnham, Mireille Lacroix, Jinger G, Hoop, Edwin H, Cook, Jr., S. H. Dinwiddie, Elliot S. Gershon, C. Anthony Rupar, Lynn Holt, Bruce R. Korf, Anne Summers, S. Annie Adams, Daniel L. Van Dyke, Rhett P. Ketterling, Erik C. Thorland, Timothy Caulfield, Lorraine Sheremeta, Richard Gold, Jon F. Merz, David Castle, Peter J. Bridge, JS Parboosingh, Patricia T. Kelly, Julianne M. O'Daniel, Allyn McConkie-Rosell, Beatrice Godard, Bartha Maria Knoppers, David Weisbrot. The coverage also includes: * Genetic screening, including prenatal, neonatal, carrier, and susceptibility testing * Diagnosis, risk assessment, confidentiality, and clinical/legal issues related to follow-up * Interpreting test results and communicating them to patients * psychological considerations * Informed consent * Family history evaluations * Referral to medical geneticists and genetic counselors Genetic Testing Care, Consent, and Liability is a must-have resource for clinical geneticists, genetic counselors, specialists, family physicians, nurses, public health professionals, and medical students.

Distributed to some depository libraries in microfiche.