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I will let you come to your own conclusions. I've included the link, but here is the text form the AMA website.

http://www.amadirectlink.com/news/2007/HIPAAbill.asp

Posted February 22, 2007
AMA backs bill to end health insurance discrimination against motorcyclists

The AMA is urging motorcyclists to contact their members of Congress in support of two bipartisan bills that would end health-care insurance discrimination against motorcyclists, ATV enthusiasts, and participants in other legal recreational activities.

The bills were introduced in both the House and the Senate on February 15.

Reps. Michael C. Burgess (R-Texas) and Bart Stupak (D-Michigan) introduced H.R. 1076, "The HIPAA Recreational Injury Technical Correction Act," in the House, and Sens. Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Russ Feingold (D-Wisconsin) introduced identical companion legislation, S. 616, in the Senate.

The bills seek to bar employers from discriminating, in the health-insurance programs they offer their workers, against those who take part in activities such as motorcycling, ATV riding, skiing, snowmobiling or horseback riding.

During the 108th Congress, the full Senate unanimously passed this legislative language; the House, however, adjourned before enacting the legislation. As a result, the legislation was re-introduced again this session of Congress.

"This important legislation would prevent health insurance discrimination against citizens who take part in legal, recreational activities such as motorcycle riding and snowmobiling," said Stupak. "I look forward to continuing to work with the American Motorcyclist Association and other organizations on this issue."

Burgess also credited the AMA's advocacy. "The development of this bill could not have been possible without bipartisan congressional support and the hard work of the American Motorcyclist Association," he said.

In introducing the Senate bill, Collins referred to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) signed into law by President Clinton in 1996.

"While I was pleased that the rule prohibits health plans and issuers from denying coverage to individuals who engage in certain types of recreational activities, such as skiing, horseback riding, snowmobiling or motorcycling, I am concerned that it would allow insurers to deny health benefits for an otherwise covered injury that results from participation in these activities."

"Folks who enjoy riding their Harleys should not be put at risk because of a health insurance loophole," said Feingold, whose state is home to Harley-Davidson Motor Company. "I will continue to work in a bipartisan fashion and with groups like the AMA to ensure outdoor recreation lovers have the peace of mind they deserve."

HIPAA originally prohibited employers from denying health-care coverage based on a worker's pre-existing medical conditions or participation in legal activities, such as motorcycling. But later, federal bureaucrats reversed the law, writing rules to allow health-insurance discrimination against motorcyclists and others. Employees were guaranteed the right to health-care coverage, but not guaranteed any benefits under those plans.

Motorcyclists were outraged when federal bureaucrats went against the will of Congress, and the AMA immediately lobbied legislators to right this wrong. Others involved in the effort include the All-Terrain Vehicle Association, the American Council of Snowmobile Associations, the American Horse Council, the BlueRibbon Coalition, the Motorcycle Industry Council, Motorcycle Riders Foundation, and the National Ski Areas Association.

"This loophole written by federal bureaucrats must be closed once and for all," said Edward Moreland, AMA vice president for government relations. "We encourage AMA and ATVA members, as well as all motorcyclists and ATV riders, to contact members of their congressional delegations to support this important legislation."

Help pass this bill

You can help the AMA build support for these bills in the U.S. House and Senate. Visit the AMA Rapid Response Center and tell your elected representatives where you stand on health-care discrimination against motorcyclists.

I'm just too stunned that the legislation is being sponsored on a bipartisan level in both Houses to even be able to grasp actually reading it...

Just a quick comment. Moving this topic to this part of the forum is like putting a story on page E7 of the paper. Might as well just delete it

Healthcare is not a Federal Law or right. Most don't see how serious this is. The fat wallets in health insurance have bribed the senators to pass federal legislation that allows them to screw us.

The whole nation needs a list of all senators in favor of this. There needs to be an outcry and investigations. The legislative arm of the govt. has no business in this type of law laundering.

Of course there will be no outcry and no investigation.

Everyone complains about discrimination but many people are in favor of it, as long as is doesn’t negatively affect them. Health and life insurance companies do it all the time. Usually based on sound actuarial reasons. On the other hand, government takes a completely schizophrenic attitude toward discrimination. Smokers are routinely treated like pariahs. It’s ok to charge them hefty premiums for insurance and to even deny them employment based on their expected healthcare costs. On the other hand, groups that are far more likely than the general population to contract AIDS are granted a status that disallows similar treatment despite the fact that their foreseeable ailment costs much more, is even more likely and usually occurs at an earlier age. While I usually don’t like having government dictating to private companies I’m not sure I like private companies dictating how I live my life either. Should motorcyclists be protected? Sky Divers, Scuba Divers? Cliff Divers? (I’m stopping there ) How much control should government or our employers have over our lifestyle choices? Should we expect the rest of society to pick up the marginal additional costs of our lifestyle choices? I’m torn on this issue.