HIPAA fix introduced in US Senate

Passing this along to interested parties:



MOTORCYCLIST DISCRIMINATION HEALTH INSURANCE BILL INTRODUCED IN UNITED
STATES SENATE.

United States Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) recently re-introduced
legislation, S. 577, to close the loophole that has allowed health insurance
companies to discriminate against motorcyclists when it comes to paying for
health insurance benefits, identical legislation cleared the chamber last
congress.

S. 577 directly address the current loophole, opened by federal regulators
in 2001, that makes it possible for health care benefits to be denied solely
based on the source of the injury. Some of the activities that are being
targeted by the health insurance providers as sources of injuries not to
supply insurance coverage for are motorcycling, horseback riding, skiing and
ATV use.

"Snowmobilers and others participating in legal recreational or
transportation activities deserve equal protection under our insurance laws.
Given the amount Americans pay for health insurance, they should be assured
that they will receive the same coverage and benefits whether they break
their arm snowmobiling or from falling down the stairs," Senator Collins
said. "The legislation introduced will close the loophole that allows
insurers to deny an individual coverage for an injury resulting from a
common, legal recreational activity."

Senator Russ Feingold (D-WI), teamed up with Senator Collins to introduce
the bi-partisan legislation. The duo led the charge last congress as well.

"Wisconsin offers an incredible setting for transportation and recreational
activities like motorcycling, skiing and snowmobiling," Senator Feingold
said. "People who take pleasure in these and other outdoor activities should
not be deterred from enjoying them because of a health insurance loophole.
This bipartisan legislation will offer outdoor recreation lovers the
protection they deserve."

S. 577 was passed out of committee and out of the entire Senate chamber with
no opposition last congress, that is a possibility again this congress, but
not without your help. The MRF urges you to ask your United States Senator
to sign on as a co-sponsor to S. 577, The HIPAA Recreational Injury
Technical Correction Act. You can view the text, list of co-sponsors, and
status of the legislation through the following website:
http://thomas.loc.gov/ You can also call the United States Capitol at
202-224-3121 and ask to be connected to your Senator.

 

----wakko reports a report-----
in essence) ~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~MOTORCYCLIST DISCRIMINATION HEALTH INSURANCE BILL INTRODUCED
IN UNITED STATES SENATE.

~~~~~~~~~`bjay here~~~~~~
hmmmm, I guess it's important, but I don't understand it...& I read the
thang.....thanks anyway,,,bjay

'Ya'll take care'' --BJAY--

 

The HIPPA Act was passed with a rider that gave the insurance company, the
option to deny payment on any claim for anyone engaged in risky behavior..
That includes riding a motorcycle.. TMRA 2 and ABATE have been working on
getting the HIPPA Act "fixed" for a long time, now.. This is also one of the
issues which we are addressing in our Texas Legislature, in Austin.. this
year..

Your Friend in Irving
Bill Walker

 

bjay here~~~~~~
hmmmm, I guess it's important, but I don't understand it...& I read the
thang.....thanks anyway,,,bjay

-----BillWalker---says
The HIPPA Act was passed with a rider that gave the insurance company,
the option to deny payment on any claim for anyone engaged in risky
behavior.. That includes riding a motorcycle.. TMRA 2 and ABATE have
been working on getting the HIPPA Act "fixed" for a long time, now..
This is also one of the issues which we are addressing in our Texas
Legislature, in Austin.. this year..
Your Friend in Irving
Bill Walker

' --BJAY--back---
~~~~~OKAy, I guess I understand now, in layManTerms.....I am a
Lay--Man.....heehee