“Insurance is directly linked to the exercise of fundamental rights. The consequences of a refusal or disproportionate terms go far beyond the contractual relationship between insurer and customer. In some cases, access to housing, starting a family or pursuing a professional activity is put at risk as a result,” said Els Keytsman De Ronne, director of Unia, on Tuesday.<\/p>\n
The equality body is calling for the legal framework to be amended “so that it finally reflects today’s medical reality”. According to Unia, the life expectancy of people with HIV is comparable to that of people who are HIV-negative. HIV is a chronic condition that can be monitored effectively, it says, citing scientific data and the expertise of HIV reference centres.<\/p>\n
Unia has prepared a recommendation for the federal government to tighten the rules for insurers. Premium surcharges, exclusions and refusals related to HIV should be prohibited when there is no longer any medical basis for treating people differently. Insurers’ transparency and reasoning obligations should also be strengthened, and they should be required to disclose the factors behind any decision when they propose a premium increase or refuse cover.<\/p>\n