AMA & HealthCare Reform

[Big-D]

I received my new copy of MCN Motorcycle Consumer News and read an article concerning how the AMA has concerns how Healthcare Reform could have an adverse effect on your freedoms and rights concerning the riding of motorcycles. Because this is a political subject, I'm being sure to keep it geared towards what the AMA (American Motorcycle Association) has spoken about and MCN has been compelled to mention it also in their cuurent edition. The link below will take you to the subject article on the AMA website. It does offer you something to think about.

I decided to call MCN today about the legality of actually posting the article on this forum annd whether there would be any worry of copyright infringement. I received a phone call back from MCN and they reminded me that they do not allow the duplication of any of their writings, BUT, this article came directly from the AMA website, therefore I was told they have no problem with copying it and reporting it. They said "The AMA wants to bring the attention of this to all motorcyclist". But, to be safe, and stay out of hot water from the everyone concerned, including the possibility of having my ass whacked by the administrators, I decided a link would be better served.

(scroll down after clicking link)

AMA Concerns over HealthCare Reform

 

[FJRBluesman]

Touchy subject...

Staying on task, There have been some threads on this forum regarding insurance companies not covering people that ride motorcycles calling it an extreme sport or dangerous habit of some sort.

I'm not really sure, IF there were to be government only health care coverage if they could exclude anyone. If that's the case, we could be governed into NOT doing certain activities in fear of not being covered for health care in the event of an accident. It's all rather interesting.

I can see the AMA's point on this.

 

[Badcat]

Touchy subject...Staying on task, There have been some threads on this forum regarding insurance companies not covering people that ride motorcycles calling it an extreme sport or dangerous habit of some sort.

I'm not really sure, IF there were to be government only health care coverage if they could exclude anyone. If that's the case, we could be governed into NOT doing certain activities in fear of not being covered for health care in the event of an accident. It's all rather interesting.

I can see the AMA's point on this.

I withdraw my comment--could be taken wrong.

 

[Big-D]

I can understand why this topic has only received two replies. It's easy to see where ones opinion on such a subject could easily be taken not of context, thereby placing ones self in hot water for a strict violation of the FJRForums rules. But I posted it in an informative nature because I felt it to be am important article that motorcyclist everywhere would be interested in, regardless of how it may or may not effect anyone that partakes in any sporting event, including motorcycling. I'm sure drivers of NASCAR find it difficult to buy life insurance.

 

[charismaticmegafauna]

With freedoms comes responsibilities. It is to be hoped that universal health care will be a major benefit for the country. I can see, though -- that health care providers could look askance at injuries resulting from insureds' disregard for due diligence in their activities of choice. For motorcyclists, that may mean: approved/certified training; stringent licensing requirements; minimum approved protective gear; IOW, raising and requiring a level of expertise and responsibility. Scofflaws and irresponsible riders (maybe?) could have the option to 'opt-out'?

But, I can see "Reform" adding new dimensions to, not only health care, but daily operations in general.

Hopefully -- for the better...?

 

[fjrob1300]

I'm just curious but, if you have motorcycle insurance and you crash doesn't that insurance cover you now? Will it cover you in the event you (Americans) recieve universal health care? It is a non issue here in Canada as riding a bike is just part of being who you are. Our only restictions are that you be a Canadian citizen or landed immegrant or a refugee as far as I know. I'm sure I'll be corrected if I'm wrong.

Rob

 

[Bounce]

In the past some employee-block insurance coverage excluded motorcycle riders as "high risk". Congress passed a law that prevented carriers from refusing to accept policies from riders in an attempt to stop this kind of stuff. It was carelessly worded enough that, even though carriers were forced to accept riders' money and give them a policy[1]. it didn't preclude them from refusing to pay for injuries sustained while riding.[2]

[1] In the cases of concern were carriers that were excluding motorcyclists but not skiiers, etc.

[2] Not all carriers do/did this but enough to be a concern.

 

[BwanaDik]

I'm just curious but, if you have motorcycle insurance and you crash doesn't that insurance cover you now?
Rob

Not too long ago the insurance you had may or may not have covered you in a motorcycle accident. You had to read the fine print and exclusions. But I seem to remember a bill wa passed in Congress prohibiting this type of exclusion because it covered a number of so called "risky" endevors. Anybody?

 

[charismaticmegafauna]

I'm just curious but, if you have motorcycle insurance and you crash doesn't that insurance cover you now?

I'm no expert (by any means), but some states have "no-fault" insurance that excludes medical payments for motorcyclists.

"Under Minnesota law, a policy of motorcycle coverage issued in the State of Minnesota must provide liability only, and there is no requirement that the policy provide personal injury protection (PIP) coverage in the case of injury sustained by the insured. No PIP coverage provided by an automobile insurance policy you may have in force will extend to provide coverage in the event of a motorcycle accident."

Will it cover you in the event you (Americans) recieve universal health care?

That would be the hoped-for/expected result...

It is a non issue here in Canada as riding a bike is just part of being who you are. Our only restictions are that you be a Canadian citizen or landed immegrant or a refugee as far as I know.

I'm sure I'll be corrected if I'm wrong.

Me too...

 

[Bounce]

I'm just curious but, if you have motorcycle insurance and you crash doesn't that insurance cover you now?
Rob

Not too long ago the insurance you had may or may not have covered you in a motorcycle accident. You had to read the fine print and exclusions. But I seem to remember a bill wa passed in Congress prohibiting this type of exclusion because it covered a number of so called "risky" endevors. Anybody?

yeah. like the post right above yours that discussed it.

 

[gearman]

The article doesn't really cite specifics, but rather addresses the possibility that issues could arise that would adversely affect motorcyclist (and others). It seems like a good idea to let legislators know we are paying attention.

 

[exskibum]

I wouldn't read it too narrowly as only addressing some sort of government option or single payer plans in legislation. It simply says, in most pertinent part:

the AMA needs your help in urging your elected officials not to abdicate the rights of the insured to an unelected commission or board, which will render final decisions regarding appropriate medical coverage for individuals who ride as a mode of transportation or for recreation (e.g., denial of a procedure).

I think that's something virtually all of us can get behind, no matter what form "reform" takes. Seems to me the AMA's stated concern arises from the fact that such limitations of coverage (e.g., for motorcyclists, skiers, scuba divers, skydivers) has already been proven to be one of the tactics that existing, for profit, private health insurers have unapologetically used (see posts above and the cited AMA article for discussion of that issue and the legislation that eventually sought to remedy that BS). Makes eminent sense to me that no matter what kind of "reform" might result, we be vigilant not to allow that sort of exclusion ever to exist again (in private insurer, public option or single payer plans).

 

[exskibum]

I'm just curious but, if you have motorcycle insurance and you crash doesn't that insurance cover you now? Will it cover you in the event you (Americans) recieve universal health care? It is a non issue here in Canada as riding a bike is just part of being who you are. Our only restictions are that you be a Canadian citizen or landed immegrant or a refugee as far as I know. I'm sure I'll be corrected if I'm wrong.

In most states, the only parts of your motorcycle insurance that will cover your own (the insured rider) injuries are med pay and uninsured motorist. Otherwise, you're relying on health insurance from another line or provider (or coming out of pocket for it*). The problem is that the med pay offered is usually pretty low limits -- like a few thousand dollars. And uninsured motorist requires that your injuries were caused by an uninsured or underinsured driver/rider of another vehicle. There, the limits are usually the same as your liability coverage, and in order to get the benefits paid, you must agree to assign to your insurer the right to recover what they pay on that coverage against the uninsured motorist (subrogation).

HTH

* Don't really want to explain the emergency room alternative if you aren't insured and can't afford to pay -- starts to get us into "political" territory too easily.