Real reform needed for workers’ comp

While House Bill 1698 was a start, it fell short of meaningful workers’ comp reform that we need to ease the burden on employers and make Illinois more attractive to business. The most important reform would ensure that injuries under workers’ compensation actually occurred on the job or are predominately work-related. The “causation” standard was not included in this bill.

I was disappointed by the provision in the bill that dilutes the benefits to be derived from using the American Medical Association guidelines for workers’ comp. In this bill, the Workers’ Compensation Commission would ignore the objective medical assessment of injury as a basis for compensation. Instead, it would consider subjective factors such as the occupation of the injured employee when establishing the amount to be paid.

The governor and many business associations and companies, like Caterpillar, came to an agreement in early May to use AMA guidelines to provide an objective assessment of claimed workplace injuries. HB 1698 varied significantly from that agreement. The guidelines need to be applied on an objective basis to provide increased savings and also provide predictability toward future costs.

It greatly concerns me that the sponsors of this bill never submitted information that would validate their savings estimates and how these savings will be equate to reduced workers’ compensation insurance premiums. It could take years before employers see any savings.

I voted “no” on HB 1698 so further negotiations could be brought forth and debated. Unfortunately for employers in our state, HB 1698 is the extent of what the Democrats are willing to do. If we are serious about our business climate and creating jobs, the legislature needs to enact true workers’ compensation reform, tort reform, regulatory reform and tax relief.

State Rep. Tom Morrison

Palatine