HIPPA Legislation for Recreational Riders Introduced in Congress

MEMORANDUM

To: AHC Members

From: Kevin McColaugh

Re: HIPPA Legislation for Recreational Riders Introduced in Congress

Date: March 7, 2007

Legislation

Representatives Bart Stupak (D-MI) and Michael C. Burgess (R-TX) recently introduced "The HIPAA Recreational Injury Technical Correction Act" (H.R. 1076). This bill would bar employers from discriminating against those who take part in legal recreational activities such as horseback riding, motorcycling, ATV riding and snowmobiling in the health-insurance programs they offer their workers. Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) and Russ Feingold (D-WI) introduced identical legislation (S. 616) in the Senate.

Specifically, the bill provides that:

a group health plan, or a health insurance issuer offering group health insurance coverage in connection with a group health plan, may not deny benefits otherwise provided under the plan or coverage for the treatment of an injury solely because such injury was sustained while engaged in any particular mode of transportation specified in the plan consisting of the use of a motorcycle, snowmobile, all-terrain vehicle, or other similar recreational vehicle or horseback riding

The Senate passed identical legislation in the 108th Congress.

AHC Position

The American Horse Council supports this legislation and will work with a coalition of other recreational groups for its passage.

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