ACMG Lobbying State Legislatures on Genetic Counselors’ Scope of Practice Draws Criticism

The American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics is lobbying state legislatures to add language to genetic counseling licensure bills that would restrict genetic counselors from independently ordering certain types of genetic tests and conveying the clinical implications of the results to patients.

The disagreement over genetic counselors’ scope of practice is ultimately about a difference of vision about the future of genetic services, and how to increase patient access to necessary genetic tests and expertise while limiting harms. The ACMG believes the best way to achieve this is if genetic counselors and doctors work together, especially when it comes to ordering genetic tests that diagnose disease or guide treatment. “What we know works, because it has worked for nearly 30 years, is that when genetic counselors work within a collaborative team, patients are very well served,” said ACMG President Anthony Gregg.

The National Society of Genetic Counselors, the broader genetic counseling community, and many MD and PhD medical geneticists have publicly opposed ACMG’s stance and said that genetic counselors should be allowed to order genetic tests independently. They have countered with data that show that when genetic counselors double-check genetic tests ordered by healthcare providers, it reduces clinically inappropriate testing and saves healthcare dollars.

Source: https://www.genomeweb.com/policy-legislation/acmg-lobbying-state-legislatures-genetic-counselors-scope-practice-draws