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Genetic Discrimination Act Restriction Becomes Effective

Client Alert | 1 min read | 05.22.09

The Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008 ("GINA") is a new federal law that protects Americans from discrimination and from being treated unfairly on the basis of differences in their DNA that may affect their health. President George W. Bush signed the Act into law on May 21, 2008, and a key portion pertaining to health insurers goes into effect May 21, 2009. The provision dealing with health insurers prevents those entities from denying coverage, adjusting premiums or otherwise discriminating based on genetic information. Prior to the enactment of this law, many states had adopted similar regulations, and GINA is designed to set the requisite minimum standards against genetic discrimination in the health insurance industry. This new law does not pertain to life insurance, disability insurance, and long-term care insurance.

Insights

Client Alert | 6 min read | 11.03.25

ICE Is Suddenly At The Door: How Retailers, Hospitals, And Hotels Can Survive The Surprise Visitor

Imagine a typical morning at your retail store, hospital, or hotel—customers are arriving, staff are busy, and suddenly, federal agents from ICE appear at your front desk. The surprise is real, but panic does not have to be. Unannounced inspections conducted by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) inspectors have been occurring for years, but in recent months, ICE has ramped up inspection visits across the service sector, targeting I-9 compliance and employment records. These visits are not always dramatic raids; more often, they are routine checks that can escalate if your team is not prepared....