A publication supporting the rights, safety and freedom of all motorcyclists through education and not legislation. FEBRUARY 2011
VOLUME XIX, ISSUE XI
2011
abateofaz.org
ABATE of AZ. 7509 N. 12th St, #200 Phoenix, AZ 85020
Nonprofit Org US Postage Paid Permit #1662 Phoenix, AZ
Legislative Session Begins
With the 2011 State and Congressional Legislative Sessions beginning, our main focus needs to be on what Bills it is we are going to be running this year and what it is we need to address at the Federal level as well. And it is. But, along with our main focus, we also are taking time to be supportive and giving of ourselves, and our prayers, to all of those involved in the horrible tragedy in Tucson. Congresswoman “Gabby” Giffords is a true friend of motorcyclists everywhere. We wish her the very best in her recovery from a gun-
shot wound to her head. As an Arizona State Rep and then a State Senator, Gabby always supported the Motorcycle Lobby Teams efforts and legislation throughout her stay in these positions. Gabby also attended our Motorcycle Freedom Rally as a guest speaker and held a town hall meeting for motorcyclists in District 8 Tucson area, while running for Congress, to share her goals and plans with all of us during her campaign. But even more importantly, after Gabby was elected to Congress, she along with a Congressman from Texas, started the first ever ‘Motorcycle Caucus’ in Washington, working closely with our MRF Lobbyist Jeff Hennie, to make things better for motorcyclists at the federal level. My last reports on 2011 legislation being introduced, talked about us running a Bill to close the HIPPA Loophole. Background information as to the purpose of that bill is that as part of the 1996 Kennedy-Kassebaum Bill, insurance companies were no longer able to discriminate, denying coverage to persons based on their choice of activities or mode of transportation (i.e. motorcycle). However for the past 10 years or more, Congress has been trying to pass a Bill to 'close the loophole' that insur-
ance companies can use, which is denial of claim settlement, based on the 'Source of Injury' (i.e. motorcycle and other activities). With Congress's failure to do so, many states have been 'closing the HIPPA loophole' at the state level. Senator Nelson has agreed to sponsor our Bill. Our Bill will have a Reference Title: insurance; unfair discrimination; motorcycles We will be adding a ‘definition’ under ‘Unfair discrimination definitions’ that states: - “A health care insurer shall not deny health care coverage to any individual based solely on that individual’s casual or nonprofessional participation in the activity of motorcycling.” We will be adding a ‘paragraph’ under ‘Unfair claim settlement practices’ that states: - “Denying medical benefits under health care coverage to any covered individual based solely on that individual’s casual or nonprofessional participation in the activity of motorcycling.”
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