Quote of the day
"It appears that the Democrats want some type of mechanism. They always seem to want mechanisms - like FEMA. But it wasn't created as a mechanism; it was just created as rules. They want something more concrete, but I don't think that's going to happen."
Mona Carter, National Policy Executive for the National Council on Compensation Insurance Holdings, Inc., on the future of the Terrorism Risk Insurance Extension Act (TRIEA).
Brokerage Wins, Will Have Its Day in Court vs. State Fund
State Fund is sending brokerages a clear message to keep the gloves up and the loss ratio down — the insurer of last resort has revoked preferred broker status from some 140 brokerages with loss ratios of more than 80 percent. The move forced one major company to drop clients and lose more than $1 million in commission. Workers’ Comp Executive
Go to the Full Story…
Publius LVII: To PD or Not to PD
The irony of addressing — or not addressing –workers’ comp permanent disability in this session of the California legislature is that business and labor seem to be dining at the same table, with legitimately injured workers picking up the tab. This insightful commentary by Publius is available to everyone by clicking here
Go to the Full Story…
California Reforms and Re-Reforms: NCCI Reports on the National Scene
Underwriting results are the best in decades, prices have declined and reserves are high. But in such a cyclical industry, can these positive upward trends hold out in the face of surging medical costs and an uncertain political climate? An NCCI report compares national and California averages. Premium subscribers can click here to read the full article.
Go to the Full Story…
Reserves Fall, Rate Decrease Approval Likely
While claims costs decrease, the proposed rate decrease is likely to be approved by California Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner. Premium subscribers can click here to read what brokers have to say about the market.
Go to the Full Story…
24-Visit PT Caps a Legislative Issue
An incentive to cut first, or an incentive to keep on cutting? Labor and industry reps are weighing in on yet another bill that seeks to extend the 24-visit cap on chiropractic, occupational therapy, and physical therapy treatments for injured workers who undergo surgery. There could be room for a deal. Workers’ Comp Executive
Go to the Full Story…
7,000+ Bills in Congress Affect Workers’ Comp
The political ebb and flow in the nation’s capital is creating a forum for change that cannot be ignored. Regulatory and legislative trends that affect every facet of the industry now are widely discussed in Washington, opening the workers’ compensation industry to dramatic shifts that could impact on a number of fronts. Premium subscribers can click here to find out about bills dealing with a federal charter for insurers, TRIA, TRIEA and other critical issues.
Go to the Full Story…
Ohio Senate Mostly Endorses Strickland’s BWC Overhaul Plan
The Ohio Senate endorses Gov. Ted Strickland’s proposed management overhaul of the state’s scandal-scarred Bureau of Workers’ Compensation by returning a bill that would replace the bureau’s current oversight commission with a stronger, 11-member board of directors. The bill will return to the House for consideration of the Senate’s changes. Toledo Blade
Go to the Full Story…
Vermont Firefighters on a Hot Streak with New Law
A new Vermont law that shifts the burden of proof from firefighters to employers in disputes over whether a firefighter’s cancer is work-related is the second major victory for the increasingly politically powerful firefighters group: Last year, the state legislature passed a law that gave firefighters the presumption that a heart attack suffered within hours of being on duty was caused by the job. Supporters say the new law will attract and retain volunteer firefighters. By Ross Sneyd, Burlington Free Press
Go to the Full Story…