When you think about health information privacy, a variety of acronyms probably come to mind: HIPAA, ADA, even FMLA. Many employers don’t consider a recent entry into the field, GINA. GINA is not a person, but the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008 law. Review this acronym and what it means to you.

1. GINA
Violations
When you think about health
information privacy, a variety of
acronyms probably come to mind:
HIPAA
ADA
even
FMLA
Many employers don’t
consider a recent entry
into the field, GINA.
Genetic
Information
Nondiscrimination
Act
GINA Title II
prohibits
discrimination
against
employees or
applicants based
on genetic
information,
including family
medical history.
The application of
these rules is clear in
the pre-employment
context. It is less clear
regarding wellness
programs and
commonly-used health
risk assessments.
The general
rule is that
these
assessments
are
permissible
only if they are
voluntary.
copyright 2014