Bill seeks formal process for sleep reg
By HME News Staff
Updated Thu September 12, 2013
WASHINGTON - A bill was introduced in the House of Representatives today that would require the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) to draft a formal regulation governing the diagnosis and treatment of sleep apnea in commercial drivers.
Reps. Larry Bucshon, R-Ind., and Daniel Lipinski, D-Ill., seek to require the FMCSA to go through a formal rule-making process that includes an evaluation of costs and benefits—rather than simply issuing guidance, which has been its plan.
Stakeholders like the American Trucking Association and the National School Transportation support the bill.
Without a formal process, stakeholders fear they wouldn't have a clear understanding of their legal responsibilities, according to an article on truckinginfo.com. That could leave them vulnerable to lawsuits.
Stakeholders estimate it could cost more than $1 billion annually to treat sleep apnea among commercial drivers, according to the article. But benefits could include lower medical expenses, reduced turnover and fewer crashes, they say.*
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