Ethics

Ethics Case

Insurance and Genetically Inherited Diseases

1) Do you consider it to be unethical for insurance companies to charge high-risk people a higher premium than low risk people?

No I do not think it is unethical for insurance companies to charge higher. To illustrate my reasoning, I would use smoking as an example.

Smoking is bad for your health, and by charging a higher insurance rate would encourage smokers to cut down on bad habits and hopefully push them in the right direction. Secondly, smoking is a choice or decision made by one himself, it is not a genetic disease that can be passed down. Treating lung infections on smokers can be costly and it is only fair that they pay more for their coverage.

However, some people are subjected to genetically inherited health problems, for these groups of people, I feel it is unfair to charge them a higher rate as it is not by a choice that they have such problems. On the other hand, it is also costly to be constantly covering insurance for these people as they are in need of more medical services.

2) Are insurance companies acting responsibly when they require customers to disclose medical information and/or submit to a medical examination?

Yes. Insurance companies are acting responsibly when they require customers to disclose medical information. By understanding and knowing the health risk associated with the customer helps insurance companies better adjust their premiums that it charges.

3) How would you argue in favor of Judy Wasylycia-Leis’s proposed legislation?

Genetic discrimination is unethical. People are subjected to genetically health problems not by choice. I would agree against genetic discrimination as why should people be treated any differently just because of what they have been diagnosed. Colleagues can use the individual’s health’s problem against him and work place bullying or discrimination might occur.

4) How would you argue against Judy Wasylycia-Leis’s...