Motorcycling will reap some benefits from the historic two-year, $787 billion economic recovery and stimulus bill recently signed into law by President Barack Obama. Language in HR 1, the largest spending measure ever enacted by Congress, provides for a tax credit for people buying new passenger cars and light-duty trucks, and now thanks to eleventh hour lobbying efforts by motorcycle groups and manufacturers, federal tax relief will extend to purchasers of new motorcycles as well.

Section 1008 of the legislation includes motorcycles as "qualified vehicles", and individuals purchasing a new motorcycle will be allowed to deduct the sales and excise taxes on their 2009 tax returns.

Four senators successfully lobbied for including motorcycles in the compromise measure: Bob Casey, D-Pa.; Christopher Bond, R-Mo., Russell Feingold, D-Wis., and Herb Kohl, D-Wis.

"The issues of consumer confidence and tight credit markets have not evaded motorcycle dealers," the four senators wrote to congressional leaders who put the finishing touches on the stimulus bill. "The effect of the downturn not only impacts the dealers - it has hurt manufacturers as well."

Expansion of the tax credit should attract more motorcycle buyers, Feingold said in a joint press release with Kohl. To be eligible for this "above the line" tax deduction, you must make less than $125,000 ($250,000 for those filing jointly) and purchase a new bike in 2009 for up to $49,500.

On March 4, by voice vote, the House Energy and Commerce Committee passed bipartisan legislation to strengthen health insurance coverage for injuries incurred while participating in legal recreational and transportation activities, such as motorcycling, riding ATVs, snowmobiling and horseback riding.

"This bill requires health insurance companies to be up front and honest with their policy holders when limitations or restrictions are placed on benefits," said Rep. Bart Stupak (D-MI) who introduced the measure with Rep.
Michael Burgess (R-TX).. "Many Americans are unaware that their health insurance may not cover injuries resulting from certain recreational activities because their policy is unclear or overly broad."

H.R. 1253, the "Health Insurance Restrictions and Limitations Clarification Act of 2009", would establish new disclosure rules requiring health insurance plans to provide a description of limitations and exclusions in their policies. Specifically, the bill requires that coverage exclusions must be "explicit and clear" and that they must be disclosed to plan sponsors in advance of the point of sale. The bill further requires that plan sponsors and insurers must disclose such coverage exclusions to enrollees "in a form that is easily understandable" both before enrollment and upon their enrollment at the earliest opportunity that other materials are provided.

In January 2001, a rule was issued that created an inadvertent loophole in the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). Because of the way the rule was written, it has allowed insurers to deny health benefits for a covered injury resulting from participation in recreational activities such as skiing, horseback riding, ATV riding, snowmobiling and motorcycling.

In many situations the exclusions are unclear or overly broad, creating confusion for individuals who may ride motorcycles, horses, snowmobiles, ATVs or participate in other legal activities that could result in an injury.

"Passing this straight forward legislation would protect those across the country who ride motorcycles, horses, snowmobiles, ATVs or participate in other recreational activities from being caught by surprise," Stupak said.

Stupak is a senior member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, which has jurisdiction over health policy. H.R. 1253 awaits consideration by the full House of Representatives, which previously approved the legislation in September 2008, but the bill was not considered by the Senate in the 110th Congress.