From a press release issued by the AMA:

ANTI-DISCRIMINATION HEALTH-INSURANCE BILL MOVING IN U.S. SENATE

PICKERINGTON, Ohio — The American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) reports that a bipartisan bill to end health-care discrimination against motorcyclists and all-terrain vehicle riders has cleared a key U.S. Senate committee.

By a unanimous voice vote, the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee on Oct. 29 approved S. 423 that would bar health plans from denying benefits to people injured while riding motorcycles, ATVs, horses, or engaging in other legal recreational or transportation activities.

“This legislation closes a loophole that allows insurance companies to deny coverage for someone who is hurt while snowmobiling, but covers someone who is injured while drinking and driving their car,” said U.S. Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine), who co-authored the bill. “Americans pay enough for their health insurance that they should receive the same coverage and benefits whether they break their arm skiing or from falling down the back stairs.”

“U.S. Sen. Russ Feingold (D-Wis.), the measure’s other co-author, said: “Millions of people participate in these legal recreational activities every day. I am thrilled to see this bipartisan support to close a loophole that may have prevented people from enjoying these legal activities out of fear they may be refused health coverage because of it.”

A similar measure, HR 1749, is being considered in the U.S. House of Representatives.

“We must press on,” said AMA Washington Representative Patrick Holtz. “The Senate bill will move to the floor for consideration. Meanwhile, the House bill still needs to get out of committee.” The House bill has been referred to the Ways and Means, Energy and Commerce, and the Education and Workforce committees.

In 1996, Congress passed the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), which prohibits companies from denying access to employer-sponsored health insurance for motorcyclists and those who participate in other recreational activities. However, federal regulators created a loophole that allows the denial of benefits under various conditions.

The AMA is among a number of groups working to get this legislation approved.

“This is an important step in ensuring that the original intent of the HIPAA legislation is upheld,” said U.S. Rep. Scott McInnis (R-Colo.), who is on the Ways and Means committee. “I look forward to working with my colleagues to see this important clarification through.”

U.S. Rep. Ted Strickland (D-Ohio), who sits on the Energy and Commerce committee, saw the Senate move as a hopeful sign for the House legislation.

“Now that this important bill has taken a major step through the Senate, I hope the House leadership will finally move forward on this issue,” Strickland said. “This legislation is a bipartisan effort to end the discriminatory practice of denying benefits to millions of Americans who participate in recreational sports.”