Quote of the day
"If they get to the point of full transparency and become more competitive, they may take back some of the market share they have lost during the last two years."
Mark Murray, senior analyst with insurance rating agency A.M. Best, about State Fund
Political Ball Bounces at Workers’ Comp Reform
Three worrisome pieces of legislation are up this session, all aimed at different parts of recent workers’ comp reform. Whether the bills are dribbles, passes, fouls or scores remains to be seen, but employers are none too happy about new discrimination provisions and 132(a) effects. Premium Subscribers need only click right here, right now to find out what the hubbub is about. Others—well, why not subscribe right now.
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Feds Catch Reform Bug
Legislation introduced in the U.S. Senate will partially reform the United States Longshore and Harborworkers Act. Of course, the unions don’t see reform quite the same way. Premium subscribers can read all about federal workers’ comp reform by simply clicking right here.
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Meet Our New Editor
Christine Stanley’s her name and reporting’s her game. Read all about Workers’ Comp Executive‘s new reporter/editor. This is clear content so everyone can read it for free right here.
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Pure Premium Going Down—Here’s Why
There is a subtle reason that both claims frequency and severity are on the decline. Premium subscribers can get the story behind the story by clicking right here.
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Reforms Take Edge Off Medical Costs and Utilization: CWCI
The reforms of 2003 and 2004 have resulted in some startling reductions in medical utilization as well as costs. Find out where the cost savings are greatest and what the next area of reform ought to be in this story on the California Workers’ Compensation Institute’s latest findings.
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Another Rate Cut? No Worries So Far
There’s probably just one more year of good times in California’s workers’ comp system, according to A.M. Best. Find out why in this interview with Best senior analyst Mark Murray.
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Firing of Mississippi Cop Called ‘Political Move’
“I’ve given 31 years of my life to this city. Why have I been singled out?” asks Vicksburg, Miss., patrolman Rudolph Walker, who has been receiving workers’ compensation since last June, after the city fires him. The city says Walker, the brother of the former mayor, is out of family and medical leave; Walker claims the city denied his request for alternate light duty employment. By Paul Bryant, Vicksburg Post [With Photo] Go to the Full Story…
Trucking Firm Barred from Foisting Bogus Waiver on Employees
Acting on a complaint by labor officials, a Tennessee judge blocks a trucking company from having employees sign a fake form that purports to waive their workers’ compensation benefits. By AP via WMC-TV (Memphis)
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