Workers Comp Reform Measure Passes Committee
Legislation that would, its sponsors say, overhaul Oklahoma's workers' compensation system to drive down costs while improving worker benefits received committee approval this week.
House Bill 2605, by Rep. Mark McCullough (pictured), would create a three-member Workers' Compensation Commission to replace the current Workers' Compensation Court.
"This is sweeping legislation that will dismantle the current lawsuit-based Workers' Compensation Court and replace it with an administrative system based on Arkansas' successful model," said McCullough, R-Sapulpa. "Our current system has been failing both injured workers and employers for years. It's time to overhaul it in a way that reduces costs to the employer while creating an easier path back to work for injured employees. This bill will benefit injured workers most by streamlining access to medical care and focusing on vocational rehabilitation."
House Bill 2605 is the result of months of work, including an in-depth legislative study conducted this year that identified the major failings of Oklahoma's current workers' compensation system.
That study demonstrated that the rate of permanent partial disability payments (PPDs) in Oklahoma is significantly higher than the rate in neighboring states.
According to Roy Wood, an official with the National Council on Compensation Insurance, PPD claims in Oklahoma are almost twice the regional average and the average lost-time claim frequency is much higher than the region and nation - 60 percent higher than the national average.
House Bill 2605, by Rep. Mark McCullough (pictured), would create a three-member Workers' Compensation Commission to replace the current Workers' Compensation Court.
"This is sweeping legislation that will dismantle the current lawsuit-based Workers' Compensation Court and replace it with an administrative system based on Arkansas' successful model," said McCullough, R-Sapulpa. "Our current system has been failing both injured workers and employers for years. It's time to overhaul it in a way that reduces costs to the employer while creating an easier path back to work for injured employees. This bill will benefit injured workers most by streamlining access to medical care and focusing on vocational rehabilitation."
House Bill 2605 is the result of months of work, including an in-depth legislative study conducted this year that identified the major failings of Oklahoma's current workers' compensation system.
That study demonstrated that the rate of permanent partial disability payments (PPDs) in Oklahoma is significantly higher than the rate in neighboring states.
According to Roy Wood, an official with the National Council on Compensation Insurance, PPD claims in Oklahoma are almost twice the regional average and the average lost-time claim frequency is much higher than the region and nation - 60 percent higher than the national average.
posted by Mike McCarville @ 12:19 PM
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