U.S. House Takes Major Step in Repairing Loophole

WASHINGTON, DC (April 24, 2009) --- The Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) is pleased to report that the U.S. House of Representatives has taken a major step toward repairing the loophole created when the regulations for the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 were written. This loophole allows insurers to deny health care benefits to victims of motorcycle crashes simply because they were riding a motorcycle. This loophole also allows insurers to conceal this exclusion of benefits from the insured until a claim has been submitted.

On March 31, 2009 the U.S. House, by a vote of 422 to 3, passed HR 1253, the Health Insurance Restrictions and Clarifications Act of 2009. This bill will require the insurance provider to fully disclose, prior to sale of the plan and prior to participant's enrollment in the plan, all of the limitations and restrictions of the plan.

While this bill does not close the loophole, it does do two very important things; it formalizes the sense of the Congress that this issue needs to be corrected, and it will have the effect of fully disclosing the depth of this loophole with the participants.

"The most troubling aspect of this source of injury loophole has always been the unknown. Not knowing if you are covered or not by your health insurance in the wake of a tragedy is just unacceptable, and HR 1253 sheds light on the substantial coverage gaps that exist today," said Jeff Hennie, MRF Vice President of Government Relations. He added, "The MRF
remains committed to fully closing the loophole and making it illegal for any insurance provider not to cover motorcycle injuries."

The bill is now awaiting action by the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. The MRF encourages all motorcyclists to contact their U.S. Senators to encourage them to pass HR 1253.