Believe ’Em or Not

BY TOM BERGER, VHC EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

The VVA national office has received inquiries from members about invitations to sign up with the VA to have their DNA tested to see “what genetic factors contribute to disorders”—the so-called Million Veteran Program. According to a VA brochure, the goal of the MVP is “to partner with veterans receiving services in the VA health care system who volunteer to share their health information, as well as genetic material,” in order to improve veterans’ health. The bottom line is: The VA wants you to voluntarily provide a sample of your DNA.

Are there risks?  In addition to those associated with a blood draw and the distress of uncovering a history of unfavorable family health conditions, the VA MVP brochure states: “There is a slight risk of a breach of confidentiality.” But many of us remember several such breaches of confidentiality over health care information that resulted in high-profile lawsuits against the VA with VVA and individual members as plaintiffs (for example, the January 2009 theft of computer equipment reportedly containing personal information).

Are there privacy and confidentiality protections in place?  You can believe the VA’s statements about the blood samples being stored in secure facilities, or that only a small number of authorized VA employees will have access to the identifier codes, or even that researchers who have VA-approved access for data analyses will not receive your name, date of birth, address, or Social Security number, but here are the facts: The Genetic Information Non-discrimination Act does not apply to the Veterans Health Administration, or to participants in the U.S. military’s Tri-care program, federal employees participating in the Federal Employee Health Benefits program, and the Indian Health Service because these agencies have their own policies.

However, note that the courts have questioned the VA’s confidentiality and privacy policies on several occasions during the past decade.

In short, a veteran’s decision to participate or not in the VA’s Million Vet Program should be one of individual choice to believe ’em or not.

For more information on the Veterans Health Council or for information on issues affecting the health of veterans of the Vietnam War, the Persian Gulf War, and the Global War on Terrorism, go to www.veteranshealth.org