Bi-Partisan Burgess Health Care Bills Unanimously Pass U.S. House Of Representatives

Main Category: Health Insurance / Medical Insurance
Also Included In: Public Health
Article Date: 25 Sep 2008 - 2:00 PDT

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Congressman Michael C. Burgess, M.D. (R-TX) announced that two bi-partisan bills he helped write to improve health care unanimously passed the House of Representatives last night. The bills must now pass the Senate and be signed by the President to become law.

The first bill, the Health Insurance Source of Injury Clarification Act (H.R. 6908), will require health plans to notify individuals of any exclusions or limitations on their health benefits at the point of sale. This proposal would make a technical correction to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), which offers rights and protections for those covered in group health plans. For more than 10 years, the lack of clarity about what is covered has impacted millions of Americans, especially those that participate in higher-risk recreational activities. Burgess sponsored this bill with Democrat Bart Stupak of Michigan.

"The time has come to fix this loophole in the law which hurts more than it helps. This correction will end the confusion by providing explicit information up front so businesses and individuals will know what their health plans cover and what they don't," commented Burgess.

This legislation is broadly supported by recreational advocates like the Motorcycle Industry Council, National Ski Areas Association, Specialty Vehicle Industry Council, and the Sporting Goods Manufacturing Association. There is a companion bill in the U.S. Senate sponsored by Senators Susan Collins and Russell Feingold (S. 616).

The other bill, the Physician Workforce and Graduate Medical Education Enhancement Act (H.R. 2583), provides federal dollars to help small hospitals create residency training programs for certain high-need medical specialties in rural or growing areas. Rep. Burgess sponsored the bill with Democrat Jim Matheson of Utah.

"Health care begins and ends with doctors. To improve the delivery and quality of health care, we need to increase the supply of doctors. This bill represents an important step in that direction, particularly in high-need areas" said Rep. Burgess.

Congressman Michael C. Burgess, M.D.