HIPPA Legislation for Recreational Riders Introduced in Congress
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.
