Quote of the day
“As I told him, he’s young, so I expect him to be here for a long time.”
Rhode Island Gov. Gina Raimondo, regarding attorney Keith A. Cardoza Jr., whom Raimondo selected for the state’s Workers’ Compensation Court
Providence Journal
Nominees announced to fill vacant Rhode Island judgeships
Rhode Island Gov. Gina Raimondo this week announced that she has nominated lawyers Keith A. Cardoza Jr. and Susan Pepin Fay to fill vacancies on the Workers’ Compensation Court. Fay would fill Judge Hugo Ricci’s opening, while Cardoza would take the seat of Judge Debra Olsson. Providence Journal
OFF-TOPIC: California considers taxing text messages
A California’s utilities agency is considering charging mobile phone users a fee for sending text messages. The wireless industry argues added fees would put carriers at a higher disadvantage since messaging services would not be charged under the proposed legislation. USA Today [with video]
Chicago Progressive Caucus moves to strip raided city officials of workers’ comp program
Nearly two weeks after a Federal Bureau of Investigation raid on his ward and City Hall offices, progressive aldermen in Chicago are attempting to strip a committee chaired by Ald. Edward Burke of control over Chicago’s $100 million-a-year workers’ compensation program. However, the Chicago Sun-Times reports that sources have told it the raid had nothing to do with the workers’ comp program. Chicago Sun-Times
West Virginia: Fraud lawsuit filed against Brickstreet, doctor
In Kanawha County, West Virginia, workers’ compensation insurer Brickstreet Mutual Insurance Company and a physician have been sued on grounds they allegedly denied the plaintiff benefits, medical treatment and diagnostic studies through use of false medical statements. West Virginia Record
Washington workers’ comp rates to drop in 2019
The price of workers comp insurance will drop for an average of 5 percent in 2019, according to the state Department of Labor and Industries in a press release. In all, the savings are expected to add up to about $136 million next year. Chinook Observer
Doctors charged with bribery, healthcare fraud
Three men, including two physicians, were charged in federal court in Tulsa, Oklahoma Monday with allegedly engaging in a conspiracy to unlawfully pay kickbacks and bribes to physicians in order to induce them to write compounding prescriptions to pharmacies with whom the defendants were affiliated. The indictment alleges physicians were provided pre-printed prescription pads that listed compounding formula choices. Kingwood.com