CA:State auditors criticize efforts to fight workers' comp fraud

Sac Bee ^ | 4/29/04 | Steve Lawrence - AP

[NormsRevenge]

SACRAMENTO (AP) - State auditors Thursday slammed California's efforts to fight workers' compensation fraud, saying officials don't know the extent of the problem and don't have a real plan to deal with it.

"The fraud commission and the insurance commissioner have not taken adequate steps to measure fraud in the system, develop a strategy to reduce it or ensure that the fraud assessment funds are distributed to most effectively investigate and prosecute workers' compensation fraud," chief state auditor Elaine Howle said in a report to the governor and legislative leaders.

Insurance Commissioner John Garamendi praised the thoroughness of the audit but said it focused in part on problems that existed before he took office for a second time in 2003.

He said he had taken steps to "reorganize and re-energize" the Insurance Department's fraud investigation unit and had identified and was working on a "number of findings and recommendations" in the audit.

Garamendi served as insurance commissioner from 1991 to 1995 and was elected to a second term in 2002.

[NormsRevenge]

DemocRats !!! Where would we be without them ;-?

Garamendi has had more swings at the ball than anyone, yet is not in the least bit accountable or responsible, per he.

Yup, Real Gubinor material.

Meanwhile Angelides is off chasing windmills on a CalPERS crusade shaking down corporations to make them "more accountable" and Lockyer is changing diapers... again. :-\

[NormsRevenge]

.

[Carry_Okie]

Simple reforms to make workman's comp fraud less attractive:

1. Suspension of the law license of any attorney under indictment for fraud.

2. If a case is found to be fraudulent, fees will be paid to defendants, including lost time and opportunity cost by the plaintiff's attorney.

3. Any physician found participating in such fraud loses their license to practice in California. The name of that physician shall be published on a web page that is accessible worldwide.

4. If that physician defrauded the plaintiff's attorney, the physician shall compensate the attorney having lost the case and paid off the defendant.

That oughta make a good start.