Message sent. I've been watching this issue for a couple years through the AMA..........glad something is being attempted to address this "loophole".
House Bill introduced for motorcyclists
- Thread starter Fred W
- Start date
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dgfella
Well-known member
AMA feelings aside, it's an issue motorcyclists should get involved in. There are politicians who chose to either call us 'economic burdens' when we get injured, or portray us as hooligans who deserve what we get. In reality, they are supporting corporate lobbyists who donate to their campaigns, and not the real issues. I'm not suggesting that a few emails are going to make a difference, but if you don't participate in the process, then you will certainly be victimized by it.
Flyguy
Well-known member
Done. Thanks for bringing this to my attention.
dbvolfan
Well-known member
Unfortunately, a few asshats out there make the rest of us look bad. Let's see....I take my bike to work EVERY single day (63 miles round-trip). The bikes get between 43-62mpg, while my car get 20mpg. I took my car to work 3 times this year, and by my math have saved ~500 gallons of gas.
I had no idea this was out there.....thanks for bringing attention to it.
squeezer
Squirrelly Geezer
Ig, I don't want to play the AMA debate game here either, but I'd like to point out that this issue isn't about the AMA. It's about anyone who rides bikes, ride horses, hunts, skis, or does anything else that some insurance company actuary doesn't do. It's about whether we all live with the home game version of OSHA. That AMA link just provides an easy way to send the message.
BUT -- for those of you who are torqued so much over the AMA that you don't even want to use their link, we can still make things easy...
Here's a link to find your representative's office address to send your own snail mail: https://www.house.gov/house/MemberWWW.shtml
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Hence my statement:
I'm on a first name basis with my representative so don't worry.
And yes, this issue does have to do with the AMA because the AMA website has wrapped up you contacting your legislator in a big bow by putting their marks all over it. Even if you use their site to try and contact your legislator directly...it is still sent from the AMA. Sorry, but that doesn't pass the smell test.
Thanks though for including a direct link to legislators so people that may not want to associate this issue with the AMA can bypass them.
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ARFJR
Well-known member
There are other motorcycle rights lobbying organizations that are quite active with this cause and can be very helpfull if you need them. Try your local ABATE group or the Motorcycle Riders Foundation.
Iggy is on target about the AMA.
IMHO
Iggy is on target about the AMA.
IMHO
Man. The AMA, Microsoft, Bill Belichick...
There's just not enough hate to go around these days.
There's just not enough hate to go around these days.
In this case it's simply using the tool AMA set up as a vehicle to easily contact your Rep. on an issue regarding riding and the health care coverage loophole. It's not an endoresement of AMA.
********!
Hey, I'd leave this thread alone because my opinion about the AMA should really be secondary here, but don't pretend it's not also about an endorsement of the AMA.
If it was only about contacting your Congressman they would have provided a very simple link.....like here. However, AMA very deliberately built some serious web code to craft a specific message, put a wrapper around any message you send through them, and possibly aggreate information before it's sent. Oh yes......any message sent through the AMA site will very much say it's associated with the AMA.
Please, can we leave the AMA out of this. Personally I think this issue is to important to us as motorcyclists to get caught up in AMA POLITICS and side track the mission.
If you do not want to use the AMA web site for some reason or other then by all means DON'T. Just write a message to your congressman. If you want to start a discussion about AMA politics I suggest starting a new thread.
squeezer
Squirrelly Geezer
No problemo. Although I'm an AMA member, I perfectly understand the frustrations folks have with them. Thumb's up to all who contact their rep about this bill, no matter how they do it.Thanks though for including a direct link to legislators so people that may not want to associate this issue with the AMA can bypass them.
which is all i was trying to say.
if that ruffles some feathers then they can shove it up their ass. i'm not an AMA member and haven't been for many years. i do however think that this legislation is important and felt that the link was an easy way for some people to contact their congresscritters.
smokeFJR06
Well-known member
Done!
dgfella
Well-known member
Gang,
Let's skip the AMA, ABATE, etc... debate and simply write your congressmen about HR 1076.
I was just reading a letter from someone who was told by their employer that 'injuries related to motorcycling will no longer be covered in 2008'. Now, the bunch of folks who work for that firm are looking for supplimental insurance (not likely to be cheap or good).
From personal experience with this and SCUBA diving, it is extremely frustrating to be told by your employer that you are not allowed to do something any longer, not insured, or do the activity at the risk of your family's financial well being should you get injured. Many insurance companies still carry wording around recreational diving being a 'high risk' activity that is not covered.
I've pretty much given up too many high risk activities for reasons like this, I draw the line at riding my bike.
dgfella
Let's skip the AMA, ABATE, etc... debate and simply write your congressmen about HR 1076.
I was just reading a letter from someone who was told by their employer that 'injuries related to motorcycling will no longer be covered in 2008'. Now, the bunch of folks who work for that firm are looking for supplimental insurance (not likely to be cheap or good).
From personal experience with this and SCUBA diving, it is extremely frustrating to be told by your employer that you are not allowed to do something any longer, not insured, or do the activity at the risk of your family's financial well being should you get injured. Many insurance companies still carry wording around recreational diving being a 'high risk' activity that is not covered.
I've pretty much given up too many high risk activities for reasons like this, I draw the line at riding my bike.
dgfella
rogdeb
Scouser
Done.
06FJRider
Active member
Done!
Jagermeister
Well-known member
Done.
Thanks, Fred
Thanks, Fred
Jagermeister
Well-known member
Anyone else gotten a response on this? Here's mine from KY Congressman Yarmuth:
Dear Mr. Giese,
Thank you for contacting me to express your concerns regarding the discrepancy in the HIPPA Act that permits insurance companies to deny healthcare to individuals injured in certain recreational activities. I appreciate the benefit of your views and share your concerns regarding this coverage gap.
HIPAA's non-discrimination provision prevents a group health plan from denying enrollment to individuals who engage in high-risk recreational activities. However, HIPAA's protection does not address the benefits that are covered by these plans. Therefore, there is no federal law requiring that plans cover treatment for injuries incurred from high-risk activities, even if these treatments are otherwise covered under the plan.
I agree that this discrepancy is unfair, and that insurance companies should not be permitted to deny benefits to individuals injured in legal recreational activities. As you know, legislation was introduced by Congressman Michael C. Burgess in the 109th Congress to correct this matter, however the bill never made it to the House floor for a vote. I am hopeful that Rep. Burgess will again introduce his legislation in the 110th Congress. Please be assured I am fully committed to ensuring that all Americans receive high-quality health coverage, including coverage for any injuries incurred, regardless of the cause of those injuries.
In the meantime, thank you again for sharing your views. Please do not hesitate to contact me in the future regarding this or any other issue of concern. If you would like to learn more about my work in Washington and in Louisville, please visit my website at www.yarmuth.house.gov where you will find the latest news, my weekly schedule, video from hearings, and information about constituent services. You can also sign up for my e-newsletter to receive periodic updates on important issues and services for your family.
Sincerely,
John Yarmuth
Member of Congress
Dear Mr. Giese,
Thank you for contacting me to express your concerns regarding the discrepancy in the HIPPA Act that permits insurance companies to deny healthcare to individuals injured in certain recreational activities. I appreciate the benefit of your views and share your concerns regarding this coverage gap.
HIPAA's non-discrimination provision prevents a group health plan from denying enrollment to individuals who engage in high-risk recreational activities. However, HIPAA's protection does not address the benefits that are covered by these plans. Therefore, there is no federal law requiring that plans cover treatment for injuries incurred from high-risk activities, even if these treatments are otherwise covered under the plan.
I agree that this discrepancy is unfair, and that insurance companies should not be permitted to deny benefits to individuals injured in legal recreational activities. As you know, legislation was introduced by Congressman Michael C. Burgess in the 109th Congress to correct this matter, however the bill never made it to the House floor for a vote. I am hopeful that Rep. Burgess will again introduce his legislation in the 110th Congress. Please be assured I am fully committed to ensuring that all Americans receive high-quality health coverage, including coverage for any injuries incurred, regardless of the cause of those injuries.
In the meantime, thank you again for sharing your views. Please do not hesitate to contact me in the future regarding this or any other issue of concern. If you would like to learn more about my work in Washington and in Louisville, please visit my website at www.yarmuth.house.gov where you will find the latest news, my weekly schedule, video from hearings, and information about constituent services. You can also sign up for my e-newsletter to receive periodic updates on important issues and services for your family.
Sincerely,
John Yarmuth
Member of Congress
