|
Hosted by AmericanTrails.org HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) bill in Federal Courts Protect Health Care Benefits for Recreationists! Help pass the technical correction to the HIPAA bill. Your immediate action is needed to ensure proper health care benefits for trail enthusiasts everywhere! U.S. Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) and U.S. Senator Russ Feingold (D-WI) recently introduced S. 616 and Representative Michael Burgess (R-TX) and Representative Bart Stupak (D-MI) introduced H.R. 1076: "The HIPAA Recreational Injury Technical Correction Act." This legislation addresses a loophole caused by a Department of Health and Human Services' rule making it possible for health care benefits to be denied to those who are injured while participating in recreational trails activities. Identical legislation passed the full Senate in the 108th Congress and obtained 177 bipartisan cosponsors in the House. S. 616 and H.R. 1076 aim at ending health care discrimination for individuals participating in legal transportation and recreational activitiesÑ activities like horseback riding, motorcycling, snowmobiling, skiing, and all-terrain vehicle ridingÑ since these activities are listed as "risky." We think everyone should get behind this bill, even though it doesnÕt specify some types of trail users. If this is allowed to continue, it could have more far-reaching effects. We are urging all trail enthusiasts to notify their Senators and Representatives to ask them to co-sponsor and support this bill. You can TAKE ACTION now by making an appointment with your Congress member while they are at home on recess or by calling, emailing, or writing them. To locate your Member on-line or to find their District Offices:
To call your Member of Congress: US Capitol Switchboard (202) 224-3121 For information on bills in Congress: http://thomas.loc.gov Visit the American Trails website at www.AmericanTrails.org for updates. Help get this important legislation passed and protect the rights of trail enthusiasts everywhere! This bipartisan legislation will offer outdoor recreation lovers the protection they deserve. Please forward this message to your friends. Thank you for your help! Sincerely, Pam
Gluck, Executive Director P.S. Have you taken action yet to protect Transportation Enhancements, the nation's largest funding source for trails, walking and bicycling? Visit the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy's website where you can find projects funded near you and view a chart showing how your State was affected during the 2006 rescission. You can also easily write to your Governor on the RTC website. Click here. The house bill HR1076 currently has 26 co-sponsors:
| |
|
Need trail skills and education? Do you provide training? Join the National Trails Training Partnership!
The NTTP Online Calendar connects you with courses, conferences, and trail-related training
Promote your trail through the National Recreation Trails Program
Updated April 6, 2007
Contact us | Mission statement | Board of directors | Member organizations | Site map | Copyright | NRT | NTTP
