Genetic testing can help parents learn what inheritable traits they may pass on to potential children.

There are tests that can detect if parents may pass on serious health conditions such as cystic fibrosis and many others. There are also genetic tests that can help in oncology, neurology and more to help identify treatments and potential future health states for patients.

What genetic testing should the Oregon Health Plan cover?

It’s a demanding question — a mix of medicine, equity, ethics, statistics and cost. It’s all the more challenging with the reduction in federal support for Medicaid in Oregon.

Oregon’s Health Evidence Review Commission makes decisions about what should be included in the Oregon Health Plan. A state committee made up of medical experts met Wednesday to make recommendations to the commission.

Genetics and the statistics on risk are not simple even for medical professionals.…