Impact of the Access to Genetic Counselor Services Act

Abstract

The goal of this Opinion Editorial is to raise public awareness regarding legislation introduced to Congress, known as the Access to Genetic Counselor Services Act, or HR 2144/S1450. Currently, Medicare policy denies beneficiaries direct access to genetic counselors. This bill aims to rectify this though CMS recognition of genetic counselors. This is of particular importance to Delawareans who rely on genetic counseling service in the sub-specialties of cancer, preconception/prenatal, pediatrics, cardiology, and neurology. In this paper, we aim to underscore the importance of this legislation by outlining how genetic counselors impact patient care.