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Pennsylvania State Senate
09/04/2024 04:16 PM
Pennsylvania State Senate
https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/Legis/CSM/showMemoPublic.cfm?SPick=20230&chamber=S&cosponId=43050
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Senate of Pennsylvania
Session of 2023 - 2024 Regular Session

MEMORANDUM

Posted: August 15, 2024 12:31 PM
From: Senator Jimmy Dillon
To: All Senate members
Subject: Licensed Genetic Counselors - Expanding Access to Care
 
Of the 34 states who license genetic counselors, Pennsylvania is only one of three that does not allow licensed genetic counselors to order genetic testing.  Despite their extensive schooling and qualifications on the subject matter, genetic counselors are required to refer their patients to a physician or other health care practitioner to have them order genetic testing.   
  
Current law is not sustainable and not in the best interest of the patients as it further delays access to testing.  Genetic counselors are trained to order the appropriate tests for each individual’s disease or condition. Other health care practitioners have not received the same level of training in genetic counseling but remain the source of testing requests. Research has found that more than 75% of physicians felt their training and knowledge regarding genetic counseling was insufficient and studies have shown that over 30% of genetic tests ordered by physicians were inappropriate and needed to be modified or canceled.   
 
I intend to work with the Department of State and other healthcare providers to ensure this legislation reduces the number of inappropriate tests, as well as decreases costs on patients and delays in care.  
  
My legislation would simply allow licensed genetic counselors to order genetic tests.  This amendment to current law would align Pennsylvania with other states and streamline the process of genetic testing, ultimately improving care for patients.    
  
Licensed Genetic Counselors in Pennsylvania are trained for this purpose, and it is logical to allow them to authorize genetic testing. To be clear, this change in law would not preclude other healthcare practitioners who have the ability to order genetic testing from doing so. 
 
Thank you for your consideration and I ask that you please join me in co-sponsoring this piece legislation.