From: Meredith Daughtridge [news@ncchamber.biz]
Sent: Thursday, May 26, 2011 12:31 PM
To: Lynette Pitt
Subject: Workers' Comp Issue Alert: Significant Victory as WC Bill Passes
Committee
May 26, 2011
Dear
Lynette,
Workers’ Comp Bill Passes in House
Select Committee on Tort Reform
The House Select Committee on Tort Reform voted earlier today to pass HB709: Protect and Put NC Back to Work. The North Carolina Chamber, along with key business allies, has spent countless hours this session seeking balanced legislation on workers’ comp reform to ensure our state’s business climate is competitive. After extensive negotiations between parties on both sides of the issue, a consensus bill has been approved by the committee that preserves the main objectives of the NC Chamber, and our broad business coalition, to create fair and balanced reform for the state’s workers’ compensation system. HB709 will now be voted on by the full House as early as next week. The Chamber will send a follow up of the updated version of the bill once it becomes available.
Costs, Key Concerns Addressed in Consensus Bill
One of the primary objectives of this legislation was to bring North Carolina’s indemnity costs in line with surrounding states by limiting the duration of temporary total disability (TTD) benefits. A key part of the negotiations was creating an opportunity for an injured worker to make the case to the Industrial Commission that they are unable to go back to work and that their benefits should be extended beyond the 500 week cap. Other states that limit these benefits provide such an opportunity. We were successful in crafting this potential exception in a balanced way that will ensure that the exception does not become the rule.
The NC Chamber applauds the primary bill sponsors Rep. Dale Folwell (R-Forsyth), Rep. Nelson Dollar (R-Wake), Rep. Mike Hager (R-Cleveland), and Rep. Jim Crawford (D-Vance) for their effort in making our workers’ comp system sound and balanced. There has been no meaningful reform of our workers’ comp system since 1994 by the General Assembly, and this legislation would not be possible without their hard work. The NC Chamber also appreciates the support of Sen. Harry Brown (R-Jones), Sen. Tom Apodaca (R-Buncombe), and Sen. Jim Davis (R-Macon) for their sponsorship of S544, the companion bill to HB709, and for their support of the efforts to reach a consensus.
Overview of HB709
> Improves the Structure, Operation and Accountability of the Industrial Commission
- Reduce
from seven to six commissioners and require legislative confirmation of
appointments
- Bring
the Industrial Commission under the Administrative Procedures Act like
other state agencies
> Bring back medical treatment to original statutory intent where the employer directs medical care
- Provide
equal access to medical information for both sides
- Improve
the rehabilitation process of the injured worker through better
communication so they can return to work
> Common Sense Requirements for Claims and Benefits
- Define
the term “suitable employment” to provide clarity and improve the
ability to return the employee to work
- Set
a cap of 500 weeks (ten years) on Temporary Total Disability (TTD)
bringing us in line with surrounding states
- Increase
Temporary Partial Disability (TPD) from 300 to 500 weeks bringing us to
the highest level of surrounding states
- Increases
the death benefit from
400 weeks to 500 weeks
Bill Heads to House – Take Action
Contact your House members today to ask for their support on HB 709!
Thank you, in advance, for your time and support!
As always, the North
Carolina Chamber will keep its members informed about this and other
workers’ compensation issues important to jobs and the economy, especially
when there is an opportunity to weigh in and make a difference.
Meredith Daughtridge
North Carolina Chamber
Communications Director
919.836.1422
You are receiving this
email because you indicated that you wanted to hear from the North Carolina
Chamber about Workers' Comp issues, or because you are a governmental affairs
professional or top executive at a Chamber member company. Thank you for your interest
in Workers' Comp policy issues that are critical to our economy and will help
shape North Carolina’s future.
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This message was originally sent to lpitt@ncada.org |
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