Legislation has been introduced in both the House of Representatives and the Senate that would establish association health plans (AHPs).
Senator Mike Enzi (R-WY), chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, has vowed to "help resolve differences" that have slowed the progress of this legislation in years past.
The "Small Business Health Fairness Act" (S. 406 and H.R. 525) aims to expand access to quality health care for the uninsured by allowing small businesses to pool together and purchase insurance through their trade associations at a lower cost for their workers. The legislation is strongly endorsed by President Bush and a broad coalition of more than 160 organizations, including IHRSA, ASAE, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the National Federation of Independent Business.
The House passed AHP legislation last year, but it did not reach the Senate floor for consideration.
Use the link below to send a personalized, pre-written letter in support of AHPs to your U.S. Senators.
The Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts has found in favor of a health club that refused to modify the rules of a racquetball league to accommodate a wheelchair racquetball player.
The plaintiff was a nationally ranked wheelchair racquetball player who sought admission in the club's men's "A" league, and requested an exception to the "one bounce" rule that would allow him the standard two bounces of wheelchair racquetball. He claimed that the health club's denial of his request was in violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). In turn, the defendant argued that the plaintiff's request would create an unacceptable safety hazard.
The court determined that an exception to the "one bounce" rule would have been a fundamental alteration of the game, and was therefore not required by the ADA.
Each year at IHRSA's convention, club operators and IHRSA staff gather at the Fair Competition Open Forum to share victories, progress, struggles, and advice for beating tax-exempt competition.
The 2005 Fair Competition Open Forum will be held on Wednesday, March 16 from 11:00 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. in the Moscone Center South, Room 222. Since lunch will be served, the favor of an R.S.V.P. to mt@ihrsa.org is requested. You will receive an advance copy of select portions of IHRSA's Fair Competition Report, which will be distributed at the Forum.
IHRSA's 24th annual International Convention and Trade Show will take place March 16-19 in San Francisco, California.
California: AB 602, which would require health clubs to maintain a bond, a letter of credit, or a certificate of deposit in a specified amount prior to selling membership contracts, has been introduced. (Read More...)
Connecticut: SB 1096, which would require all health clubs to have AEDs, has been referred to the Joint Committee on Public Health. (Read More...)
Washington: IHRSA has learned that SB 5810, which would have limited the maximum amount allowed for annual health club contracts and prohibited automatic renewal, is unlikely to be advanced. (Read More...)
