Posted on 03/08/2005 8:47:39 AM PST by NormsRevenge
After two years of major overhauls, California's workers' compensation system remains high on lawmakers' radar screens.
More than three dozen workers' compensation bills have been introduced this session in the Assembly and Senate, touching on subjects such as insurance rate regulation and doctors' fees.
More important, many bills are considered placeholders for future legislation in what could reignite debate over reforming the state-run program, observers say. "You would like to think (after) a major reform effort like SB 899 (last year) all would be calm. People are trying to protect or defend different areas. They don't go away," said Willie Washington, a veteran lobbyist for the California Manufacturers and Technology Association.
--snip--
The bills include:
* AB 681 by Assemblyman Juan Vargas, D-San Diego, which calls for freezing a 5 percent cut in physician fees through 2010. Current law would allow the state to set new fees next year, which some fear could lead to bigger reductions. The extension would let doctors negotiate a new fee schedule without losing ground.
* AB 1549 by Assemblyman Paul Koretz, D-West Hollywood. The bill would allow acupuncturists to become qualified medical providers and permit other specialists, such as dentists, chiropractors and psychologists, to be defined as independent medical reviewers.
* SB 538 by Sen. Sheila Kuehl, D-Santa Monica, which calls for an evaluation of the new medical provider networks and health care organizations and their ability to provide adequate treatment to injured workers. Opponents fear the measure could create minimum doctor staffing ratios for networks.
The workers' compensation debate will start heating up in early summer after insurance companies adjust premium rates for the second half of 2005. Also, the outcome of legal challenges to the new medical networks and permanent disability rules could reshape legislation.
(Excerpt) Read more at sacbee.com ...
It's not a question of how many jackar$$es,, as much as how many 2 by 4s will ya need to crack over their thick skulls to get the job done. ;-)
Lawyers and unions still reign supreme in StinkyMento..
* AB 681 by Assemblyman Juan Vargas, D-San Diego, which calls for freezing a 5 percent cut in physician fees through 2010. Current law would allow the state to set new fees next year, which some fear could lead to bigger reductions. The extension would let doctors negotiate a new fee schedule without losing ground.
* AB 1549 by Assemblyman Paul Koretz, D-West Hollywood. The bill would allow acupuncturists to become qualified medical providers and permit other specialists, such as dentists, chiropractors and psychologists, to be defined as independent medical reviewers.
* SB 538 by Sen. Sheila Kuehl, D-Santa Monica, which calls for an evaluation of the new medical provider networks and health care organizations and their ability to provide adequate treatment to injured workers. Opponents fear the measure could create minimum doctor staffing ratios for networks.
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