N.Y. Governor Vetoes DWI Driver Coverage

[Judi Lynn]

N.Y. Governor Vetoes DWI Driver Coverage
New York Gov. George Pataki Vetoes Bill for Medical Insurance for Injured Drunken Drivers
The Associated Press

ALBANY, N.Y. Aug 17, 2005 — Gov. George Pataki has vetoed a bill that would have required insurance carriers to pay the medical bills of people injured while driving drunk.

Pataki's action keeps in place the state's "alcohol exclusion law," enacted in the late 1940s in part to save insurance companies money.

The National Association of Insurance Commissioners and Mothers Against Drunk Driving had argued that the current law discourages doctors from testing injured drivers for alcohol because insurance companies won't have to pay for the treatment.

Pataki said he vetoed the bill Tuesday night because sponsors had not determined how many people and cases would be affected by a change, and because the bill's language could be interpreted to require payment for procedures outside emergency room services.
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http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory?id=1046377

[msmcghee]

1. Thanks for posting this . .

Although it is a confusing story. The way I understand it is . .

The current law discourages Dr.s from testing for blood alcohol content when an injured person shows up at the ER . . because their insurance company won't have to cover them if it comes up positive.

And I guess that means they might not get paid for their services (if the injured person doesn't have much in the way of assets or income).

So they don't test them. And therefore if they were driving drunk they get off the DUI? And is that good or bad?

Did I get that right?

Still confused.