This is an unlikely scenario, however. As good as it may sound, the specter of genetic discrimination may slow it down, if not retard it completely. Any grand plan to employ new genetic knowledge for preventive health care for Americans is likely to be impeded, if not blocked entirely, by the U.S. system of financing medical care through commercial insurance. The problem begins with insurability, and may end up in a form of discrimination that for genetic reasons prevents certain individuals from obtaining employment and, hence, medical services. Even with a government regulated program of access to basic health services, the need to purchase supplemental insurance to cover serious diseases makes many of us with certain genetic configurations vulnerable to discrimination.
Insurance works by sharing risk.
When risk is uncertain to all, then all can be asked to contribute equally to the insurance pool. Premiums can be equalized. Once the genetic disorders of individuals become known, however, this could justify higher premiums for those demonstrating greater risk. The greater the risk, the higher the premium. Insurance may even be denied those whose genes predict extended or expensive medical treatment.