Policy Efforts to Increase Access to Genetic Testing

Description
This presentation will provide an overview of current pending legislation and regulatory proposals currently under consideration that have implications for the practice of genetic counseling and patient access to genetic testing. Topics will include efforts to allow patents on human DNA, regulatory oversight of laboratory tests, Medicare coverage policies, prior authorization reforms, federal agency staff reductions, etc.

Level of Instruction
Basic - Entry level; no prior knowledge of subject necessary

Learning Objectives

1. Describe advocacy efforts to improve coverage and reimbursement of genetic testing.
2. Explain regulatory requirements for laboratory tests.
3. Assess legislation such as those focused on patent eligibility reform, telehealth, multi-cancer screening, etc. and how they can increase or decrease access to genetic testing.

Course summary

Available credit: 
  • 0.10 NSGC CEU
Course opens: 
02/04/2026
Course expires: 
02/04/2028
Cost:
$0.00

Presenter: Jennifer Leib, MS, CGC

Founder, Innovation Policy Solutions, LLC

Jennifer Leib founded Innovation Policy Solutions, a government relations firm specializing in genomics and precision medicine policy. Some of her accomplishments include leading the advocacy effort in support of the plaintiffs in the Supreme Court’s unanimous decision in the Association for Molecular Pathology vs. Myriad Genetics Inc. that invalidated gene patents, serving on the Executive Committee of the Coalition for Genetic Fairness which successfully advocated for passage of the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act, and assisting companies with navigating the evolving regulatory and reimbursement landscape for diagnostic testing during recent public health emergencies. Previously, Jennifer co-founded another consulting firm, HealthFutures, which was acquired by CRD Associates in 2009. Board certified in genetic counseling, she also worked at the National Institutes of Health, the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions, and in the biotechnology industry.

 

Moderator: Kristina Garcia, MSGC, CGC

Clinical Science Liaison at Ambry Genetics

Kristina Garcia is a certified genetic counselor and clinical science liaison at Ambry Genetics currently supporting clients ordering oncology, cardiology, and rare disease testing. She obtained her Bachelor of Science in Biology from UC Santa Barbara and her Master of Genetic Counselor Studies from the University of Wisconsin - Madison. Prior to joining Ambry Genetics, she began her career in pediatric genetic counseling and then transitioned into the oncology setting at UW Health in Madison, WI. She is particularly passionate about genomic education and serves as an Adjunct Assistant Professor with the UW-Madison genetic counseling program.

Educational Independence and Disclosure Policy

EducateNext is committed to providing independent, objective, and evidence-based educational content. None of the individuals in control of this content—including our planners, reviewers, and approval faculty—have any financial relationships with ineligible companies to disclose. For all educational sessions, speaker-specific disclosures regarding any potential conflicts of interest are required and will always be shared directly with learners at the beginning of their respective presentations.

Ambry Genetics is approved as a provider for continuing education program by NSGC and ASCLS P.A.C.E ® Programs.

Credit eligibility varies by activity; please see below for the specific credit types offered for this course.

Available Credit

  • 0.10 NSGC CEU

Price

Cost:
$0.00
Please login or register to take this course.
  • Click above to register for and complete this activity.
  • You can review your pending and completed registrations at any time by going to My Account > My Activities.

Please note: Attendees must track continuing education (CE) credits towards recertification. Credit cannot be claimed for both live and recorded versions of the same webinar; attendance is cross-checked annually. We apologize for the inconvenience and are working toward a single-platform solution to automatically manage dual registration and integrated transcript tracking.