American Motorcyclist Association Raises Concern over Health Care Debate
As Congress scuffles over proposed health care reform bills initiated by the Obama Administration, the American Motorcyclist Association has expressed concern that bureaucratic changes might affect motorcycle and ATV riders.
Anyone who has ever been hospitalized* knows that medical bills can add up quickly, and even those with health insurance can be required to pay huge out-of-pocket expenses. The AMA is encouraging motorcycle and ATV enthusiasts to urge "...elected officials [not to] abdicate the rights of the insured to an unelected commission or board, which will render final decisions regarding appropriate medical coverage for individuals who ride as a mode of transportation or for recreation..."
The AMA's full thoughts can be found on this website, which includes an editable letter that can be sent to the appropriate elected officials in the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives. Read it over and complete the form if you're so inspired, and let us know your particular concerns about your rights as a motorcyclist.
Sources: MissAdventuring Twitter Feed, AMA
* Like daredevil Trigger Gumm, pictured here
Photo © Getty Images; Click to enlarge
Comments
Where I live there is no discrimination for motorcyclists. Our bike insurance coverage is expensive enough to cover a lot and our medical is not out of pocket, except the monthly premiums. Ours is no-fault insurance too.
What might happen in the US is mandatory helmet and riding gear to protect the rider and maybe a level of competence testing. That would help eliminate a lot of young people in shorts and flip-flops doing silly things on over-powered sports bikes.
We do have helmet laws and a three stage process to obtain a license.
What a pile of crap. This is apparently from one of Sarah Palin’s, Death Panel, “…they want to euthanasia my grandmother”, wing-nuts… give me a break. I would like to know who and for what reason anyone would want to promote this sort of paranoid BS.
When I see some stuff like this, I wonder about my membership in the AMA. My parents pay $1200 a month for health insurance. There are people out there who can barely afford rent, but the people who are getting their pockets lined by the medical insurance companies don’t care. I did not expect the AMA to go that way. Not all motorcyclists ride a new Harley or BMW or whatever, so not everyone has the means to afford health insurance in the current system. AMA, stop telling lies.
I went on the AMA website and contacted them before I came back to express my disgust with them possibly selling out to the fearmongers. I’m not a member, probably won’t become one if they want to take that tack. Corporate insurance thieves are behind keeping the retarded system we have now. Public option is neccessary,
I wish there was a law that states motorcycle riders over the age of 21 must listen to Rush Limbaugh to improve their IQ ratings. The comment made about Governor Palin must be from one of those 60 IQ specials.