West Va. Insurance Authority Eyed

West Virginia gives its insurance department a lot of leeway in regulating workers’ compensation. But a new House bill would require the department to get legislative approval for workers’ compensation rules.

Lawmakers review rules for most agencies but workers’ compensation rules were exempted when the system was privatized last July. The agency and lawmakers have since clashed over rules for benefits and claims.

Supporters of the current system say the proposal could chill the newly-competitive market.