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Workers compensation: The deal
Senate and House negotiators reached agreement this afternoon on workers compensation reform.
The details:
Allows for creation of networks to provide improved medical care for injured workers.
Renews the focus of the system on return-to-work.
Modifies the governance of the system to improve accountability and ensure proper attention to workers compensation issues.
Increases income benefit to workers.
Creates a new state agency to advocate for injured workers.
Sen. Todd Staples, R-Palestine, a Senate negotiator, termed the deal “a victory for injured workers and businesses that employ them.”
The conference committee’s report is expected to be adopted by the House and Senate by weekend. And Gov. Perry says he plans to sign it.
Comments
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By Danny Hollaway
May 26, 2005 10:31 AM | Link to this
The insurance industry will now be able to control where injured workers can and cannot go to receive medical care, just like an HMO. It's a great time to be in the insurance business in Texas. You have friends everywhere, especially in Travis County.