Breast Cancer Network Australia’s Post

📣 InGeNA Welcomes Government Announcement on Genetic Discrimination We welcome the Federal Government’s announcement of a ban on genetic discrimination in life insurance. This is a significant step toward removing barriers that have prevented many Australians from accessing the full benefits of genomic medicine and genetic testing. InGeNA made a submission in consultation with our members, strongly supporting this ban. We extend our gratitude to our members and broader stakeholders for their engagement and collaboration in bringing about this critical change (see submission 👇). This ban represents a turning point for genomic medicine in Australia. It enables Australians to make informed decisions about genetic testing for their health, without the fear of financial discrimination. By removing this barrier, we can accelerate the integration of personalised healthcare into our health system, improving outcomes for all. The bipartisan support for this ban is critical and signals the support for genomics as the future of health that all Australians should benefit for. It is a win for growth in the preventative potential for healthcare. We would also like to highlight and appreciate the dedicated leadership of Dr. Jane Tiller (PhD), whose advocacy has been instrumental in this movement for change. Her efforts have united industry and patient groups, helping to bring about this significant reform. InGeNA remains committed to supporting the implementation of this ban and ensuring that genomic medicine can continue to grow and benefit all Australians. https://lnkd.in/g_ZwTVsr

LAPPA's model law on overdose reversal agents has been published! Overdose reversal agents (ORAs) are safe, non-addictive drugs that work to interrupt an overdose and save an individual’s life. As of today, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved naloxone-based and nalmefene-based ORAs that each work to reverse overdoses caused by opioids. In 2024, given both the general progression of ORA laws across the country over the past three years as well as the emergence of non-prescription (i.e., over-the-counter ) options that are not yet addressed adequately in many state laws, the Legislative Analysis and Public Policy Association set out to update its 2021 model act on the topic. The provisions of the Model Overdose Reversal Agents Act (Act) https://lnkd.in/ewytW-xs intentionally push ORA access forward beyond where most, if not all, states are now. The key elements of this Act are to: (1) remove all existing restrictions about who can receive, possess, store, transfer without cost, or administer an ORA such that any “person or entity” is eligible; (2) require specified individuals and entities to offer ORAs to individuals at increased risk of overdose; (3) require emergency access to ORAs at specified locations for use by any individual; (4) provide guidelines for ORA sales, in particular sales of non-prescription ORAs; (6) grant broad immunity to people or entities for prescribing, dispensing, giving, donating, transferring without charge, selling, or administering ORAs in the absence of gross negligence, malice, or criminal intent; (7) identify the required content for educational information about ORAs and specify when that information must be disseminated; (8) require Medicaid and other health insurance coverage for ORAs, including non-prescription ORAs, and prohibit discriminatory life and health insurance practices; and (9) create a bulk overdose reversal agent purchasing fund to assist persons and entities to fulfill requirements under the Act.

We are thrilled to celebrate the historic commitment to change legislation announced by the Australian Government, which has the potential to transform life insurance access for Australians at risk of breast cancer. This momentous decision includes a total ban on genetic discrimination in life insurance, a victory achieved through the dedicated efforts of Dr. Jane Tiller, patient advocate Krystal Barter, and many consumer organisations, with the support of Breast Cancer Network Australia (BCNA). This commitment enforces a comprehensive ban on the use of genetic results in life insurance underwriting, without any financial limits, caps, or exclusions, outlined by Assistant Treasurer Stephen Jones in Parliament House today. This significant step will protect individuals with genetic predispositions, such as BRCA1 and BRCA2 carriers, from discrimination and encourage more people to undergo genetic testing for early detection and to support improving health outcomes. We were honoured to hear from Kara Ryan, at the press conference today in Parliament House , as a BRCA2 variant carrier, her personal experience, highlighting how this announcement has alleviated the fear of genetic discrimination and empowered individuals to make informed decisions about their health. You can hear from Dr Jane Tiller as she shares with me what today’s announcement really means , and the role consumers have played in contributing to this extraordinary commitment. This victory underscores the power of consumer advocacy in driving policy reform and represents a significant advancement for all Australians facing genetic risk. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Jane Tiller, Professor Paul Lacaze , Krystal Barter, Kara Ryan, and all those involved in this transformative journey. #GeneticDiscrimination #BreastCancerAdvocacy #ConsumerEmpowerment #HealthPolicyReform #BCNA Breast Cancer Network Australia Jane Tiller (PhD) Krystal Barter Paul Lacaze Stephen Jones Christine Cockburn Christine Cupitt Ged Kearney Monique Ryan Kara Ryan (Hateley) Monash Public Health and Preventive Medicine

🧠 Implications of Early Alzheimer’s Diagnosis for the Insurance Industry Laura Hercher, a leading expert on the ethical, legal and social issues of human genetics, published a new article in Scientific American describing that someday soon, it will be possible for a person to learn through a simple blood test that they have Alzheimer’s - even as early as 15 years before symptoms will be experienced. What This Means for the Insurance Industry: 💉 Early Intervention and Treatment: Diagnosing Alzheimer’s early could lead to earlier interventions and treatments, potentially slowing disease progression and reducing long-term care costs. 💉Policy Adjustments: Medical Insurance policies may need to be re-evaluated to cover diagnostic tests and early treatments, which could shift the cost dynamics significantly. 💉Underwriting Implications: The ability to diagnose Alzheimer’s earlier means that insurers can better assess risk and premiums necessary leading to lower costs for some and higher costs for others. 💉Preventive Care Focus: Emphasizing preventive care and early diagnosis could become a key strategy, encouraging policyholders to undergo regular screenings and adopt healthier lifestyles. 💉Ethical Considerations: The potential for early diagnosis raises ethical questions about privacy, the psychological impact on patients, and the implications of knowing one’s risk long before symptoms appear. As we navigate these changes, it’s crucial for the insurance industry to adapt and ensure that policies and practices align with these new diagnostic capabilities. This shift could ultimately lead to better outcomes for patients and more sustainable care models. 🔗 Read the full article here: Controversial New Guidelines Would Diagnose Alzheimer’s before Symptoms Appear | Scientific American #Alzheimers #InsuranceIndustry #LongTermCare #EarlyDiagnosis #HealthcareInnovation

Should you be denied life insurance or have to pay extra if you have a genetic risk for certain diseases? Should insurance companies even have access to your genetic data in the first place? This practice is known as 'genetic discrimination' and may have negative implications on how Australians view genomic research. New research lead by social psychologist Dr Brad Elphinstone shows the question of who can assess a person’s genomic data directly influences public trust in future genomic research in Australia. More via The Conversation Australia + NZ ➡️ https://swi.nu/ik6dj #research #discrimination #genomicresearch #insurance 

LAPPA's model act on overdose reversal agents has been released! Overdose reversal agents (ORAs) are safe, non-addictive drugs that work to interrupt an overdose and save an individual’s life. As of today, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved naloxone-based and nalmefene-based ORAs that each work to reverse overdoses caused by opioids. In 2024, given both the general progression of ORA laws across the country over the past three years as well as the emergence of non-prescription (i.e., over-the-counter ) options that are not yet addressed adequately in many state laws, the Legislative Analysis and Public Policy Association set out to update its 2021 model act on the topic. The provisions of the Model Overdose Reversal Agents Act (Act) https://lnkd.in/ewytW-xs intentionally push ORA access forward beyond where most, if not all, states are now. The key elements of this Act are to: (1) remove all existing restrictions about who can receive, possess, store, transfer without cost, or administer an ORA such that any “person or entity” is eligible; (2) require specified individuals and entities to offer ORAs to individuals at increased risk of overdose; (3) require emergency access to ORAs at specified locations for use by any individual; (4) provide guidelines for ORA sales, in particular sales of non-prescription ORAs; (6) grant broad immunity to people or entities for prescribing, dispensing, giving, donating, transferring without charge, selling, or administering ORAs in the absence of gross negligence, malice, or criminal intent; (7) identify the required content for educational information about ORAs and specify when that information must be disseminated; (8) require Medicaid and other health insurance coverage for ORAs, including non-prescription ORAs, and prohibit discriminatory life and health insurance practices; and (9) create a bulk overdose reversal agent purchasing fund to assist persons and entities to fulfill requirements under the Act.

Almost every single week I get a call or email from an agent asking about life insurance for someone with Atrial Fibrillation, or AFib, for short.  Up until just a few years ago, this condition was really unheard of.  But now, with advances in medicine, we are seeing more and more clients being diagnosed with this condition.  AFib is an arrhythmia of the atria where it contracts chaotically.   So let's get into it; is my client insurable?  The short answer is, it depends.  Best case scenario we'd probably be looking at standard rates 🥳 but could range all the way to a decline/postpone 😞 if this is a new diagnosis or if there is a severe, underlying heart disorder. There are several things we would need to provide you and your client with an accurate and realistic quote which is why we created this eQuestionnaire to help collect all of the information up front.  Uploading a copy of cardiac records is always helpful because medical tests tend not to sugar coat... https://lnkd.in/g5zS42KY This will give you a brief overview of the condition along with a "what to expect" and full details of what we would need to quote your client.  You might not have a client now with AFib but bookmark our site because chances are, you will in the very near future.  While you are there, check out our other eQuestionnaires which might come in handy when you get a call from someone that is diabetic, or had Hepatitis C, or uses marijuana.   As always, I'm here to help you quote, write, and place your life insurance cases confidently, efficiently, and profitably.

This is just a small sample of the harm caused by the dominance of the few PBM's (pharmacy benefit managers, who control a large part of insurance and drug costs). Unfortunately, it is hard to imagine PBM's and health insurance industry changing their MO when they earn enormous profits. They need to be bypassed where possible, as Mark Cuban is doing, or legislation to remove the PBM's protection from anti-kickback and Antitrust laws. #healthcarereform #pbm #drugcosts #healthinsurance https://lnkd.in/gQ4--QTs

As an M.D. Geneticist, my primary focus is ensuring patients have access to the essential tests that inform their healthcare and treatment decisions. However, a recent investigation by ProPublica has revealed a disturbing reality: insurance denials by contracted third-party services using restrictive medical policies that are not in line with standards of practice are preventing patients from getting the coverage they need for timely and crucial testing. This is more than a frustrating administrative hurdle; it’s a threat to patient outcomes. For example, when genetic testing is delayed or denied, we lose opportunities to detect and address genetic conditions early—sometimes when timing matters most. We must push as providers for transparent and medically sound insurance practices to support our work as medical professionals and the well-being of those we serve. Learn more about this pressing issue and why patient access to genetic testing is a cause worth fighting for: https://lnkd.in/gF5rV5Ex