California Considers Changes to the Workers’ Comp System

The California Department of Insurance held a workers’ compensation insurance claims cost benchmark hearing on June 8, at which suggestions were made on changes that could be made to the workers’ comp system to reduce costs.

According to the state Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner,
“One thing that every person agreed on was that one of the best ways to keep costs low was providing immediate and appropriate medical care to workers injured on the job.

“I will carefully consider all of the evidence and ideas set forth yesterday and will respond to the Workers’ Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau’s filing within 30 days,” Poizner continued. “I will also pass along to the Governor and Legislature some of the best ideas brought to light at the hearing that will help keep costs down.

“The economy is in a tailspin. The state’s unemployment rate is at 11 percent. Unwarranted and preventable rate hikes must be avoided to prevent even more Californians from losing their jobs. The absolute last thing California businesses need is an unsupported added expense. I will carefully scrutinize the data presented to ensure that unneeded financial burdens are not hoisted on the state’s already fragile economy.”

Source: CDI