By Han Jeong. Many U.S. employers provide risk-rated health insurance to employees, meaning the coverage premiums are based in part on employees’ current health and preexisting conditions. This approach, however, threatens to discriminate against employees with disabilities, who will be seen as a higher risk to insurance companies. Meanwhile, employers—either consciously or not—may opt to avoid hiring people with disabilities or preexisting conditions to avoid rising healthcare costs, despite federal laws that prohibit discrimination based on disabilities. Recent updates to federal health legislation are intended to reduce discrimination and protect patient privacy.
Law Journal for Social Justice 