Overview of the issue: http://www.igs.berkeley.edu/library/htWorkersCompensation.htm
Committee for Workers Compensation Reform and Accountability: http://www.reformworkerscomp.com
The Associated Press
Highlights of proposed workers compensation reform:
- Could eventually cut $5 billion or more from annual costs to employers.
- Prevents state from regulating premium rates charged by insurance companies.
- Makes injured workers first use doctors provided by employer or the employer's insurance company before being allowed to pick their own doctor.
- Requires that employers and employees be considered equal before the law instead of giving benefit of doubt to injured worker.
- Limits most temporary disability payments to 104 weeks.
- Makes doctors evaluating permanent disability assess what percentage of a problem is from a present work-related injury and what was caused by other factors, including past work injuries.
- Makes employer liable only for the percent related to present work-related injury.
- Allows a state reimbursement to small businesses to make necessary workplace changes to return injured employees to work.
- Sets limits on fees for medical services.
- Requires employers to immediately authorize medical treatment for an injured worker who files a claim of occupational injury.
- Requires study of the bill's effect on workers' compensation insurance rates in California.
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Source: California Legislature
Apparently the Republicans have caved in again. No surprise.
Before the Easter break they were adamant that the bill be published for seven days before the vote was taken. They were afraid Schwarzenegger, the Democrats and their own party leaders would double cross them again.
From my perspective anyone who votes the party and not the individual and his beliefs is a major part of the problem in California.