Motorcyclists are a diverse bunch. An increasing number of us are women. Many of us are people of color. However, the organized motorcycle groups (such as the American Motorcyclist Association) tends to lean towards Republicans. Why? They think (get this) the Repugs are more interested in protecting our rights!
Ok, now that you have recovered from shock- one of the rights motorcyclists are interested in is the right to ride without penalty It's not in the Bill of Rights, but the average motorcyclist is in favor. There are federal regulations that make it possible for health care insurers to deny motorcyclists coverage.
Health insurers, of course, just want to take our money and not provide any benefits. Several years ago, some bright insurer had the idea of refusing coverage to people who engaged in any sport more dangerous than lawn croquet.
The following press release from the American Motorcycle Association sums it up (note: I assume Mr. Burgess is a miserable creep, and this is the only thing he has ever done for his constitutents)
U.S. Representative Michael Burgess (R-TX-26) recently introduced H.R. 2793, "The HIPAA Recreational Injury Technical Correction Act." A similar measure obtained 177 bipartisan cosponsors last Congress.
H.R. 2793 aims at ending health care discrimination for individuals participating in legal transportation and recreational activities-activities like motorcycling, snowmobiling, horseback riding, and all-terrain vehicle riding.
This legislation addresses a loophole caused by a Department of Health and Human Services' rule making it possible for health care benefits to be denied to those who are injured while participating in these activities.
"The development of this bill could not have been possible without bipartisan congressional support and the hard work of the American Motorcyclist Association," stated Congressman Burgess. "I look forward to working alongside the AMA to get this legislation passed into law."
Burgess was joined by Congressman Ted Strickland (D-OH-6) in introducing the House legislation.
Congressman Strickland said, "It's shameful to allow health insurers to discriminate against individuals who take part in perfectly legal modes of transportation, hobbies or activities. According to this rule, a person injured while drinking and driving would be covered by their health insurance, but an individual who falls from a motorcycle may not. It just makes no sense."
On August 21, 1996 an important opportunity arose when President Clinton signed the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), prohibiting employers from denying health care coverage based on a worker's pre-existing medical conditions or participation in legal activities, such as motorcycling.
In 2001, the Department of Health and Human Services released the final rules that would govern the HIPAA law. The rules recognize that employers cannot refuse health care coverage to an employee on the basis of their participation in a recognized legal activity. However, the benefits can be denied for injuries sustained in connection with those activities. Therefore, you were guaranteed the right to health care coverage but not guaranteed any benefits in return for your monthly payments.
The AMA is urging all motorcyclists to notify their Representatives and tell them to co-sponsor and support H.R. 2793, "The HIPAA Recreational Injury Technical Correction Act."
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