Quote of the day
"The practice is wrong and is driving down wages and living standards for Pennsylvania workers."
Pennsylvania State Rep. Bryan R. Lentz, about the intentional misclassification of workers as independent contractors
Provider Notes Upward Trend in Pharmacy Spending by States
The annual expenditure for pharmacy products paid for by state workers’ compensation systems increased 11.9 percent per injured worker last year, according to Florida-based PMSI, a pharmaceutical products provider, in its 2008 Annual Drug Trends Report. In 2006, the expenditure reportedly increased 8.7 percent. By Daniel Hays, National Underwriter
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Keystone State Bill Focuses on Misclassification
Pennsylvania’s House Labor Relations Committee holds a hearing on legislation targeting employers who misclassify their workers to avoid paying workers’ compensation insurance premiums and state and federal taxes. The bill’s prime sponsor says intentional misclassification has been on the rise in recent years, particularly in the construction and motor carrier industries. Town Talk News (Media, Pa.)
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Mountain State Proposal Would Cover Volunteer Firefighters
In West Virginia, one of the largest expenses all volunteer departments face is workers’ compensation insurance. But one delegate is urging the state to pick up the cost of workers’ comp for the departments so they can purchase new equipment with the savings. MetroNews (Charleston)
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House Dems Seeking New Combustible Dust Regs
House Democrats push for new combustible dust standards that would require Fed-OSHA to come up with temporary safety standards within 90 days and final safety standards 18 months after the legislation is signed, partially in response to the February sugar refinery explosion in Georgia that killed 13 workers. The White House has threatened to veto the bill.
Go to the full story by Prentiss Findlay, Charleston (S.C.) Post and Courier [with photo] Go to the editorial in the Savannah Morning News
Australia: Comcare Scheme Eyed as Cost Savings
Australian businesses could spend less on workers’ compensation under a proposal that would allow companies operating in two or more states to join the federal workers’ comp scheme Comcare. The proposal, from the Australia Safety and Compensation Council, would force higher competition between state-based schemes, forcing down premiums. SmartCompany.com.au
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