Costello: Workers’ Comp Act ‘Advances best interests’

Labor Commissioner Mark Costello

The Oklahoma State Senate has taken a bold first move towards creating an administrative workers compensation system that advances the best interests of the employee and employer. Getting the injured worker fully treated medically, compensation for lost wages, and returned to work is better achieved under the reform measure approved by the senate. The measure was approved by 34 to 12.

In August 2012, I traveled to Little Rock, Arkansas to be briefed by Arkansas Workers’ Compensation Commission. I was privileged to receive a one-on-one briefing from the three commissioners, including Chairman A. Watson Bell and their CEO and Assistant CEO.  I am particularly pleased the senate proposal is based on the Arkansas model, with its significant safety component that reduces repeated injuries to the employee. The best way to reduce worker compensation premiums is to keep the worker from injury in the first place.

Oklahoma currently has the sixth worst workers’ compensation rates in the nation, while the Arkansas’ administrative system holds the distinction of the second best rates. In comparison, Oklahoma’s premium rate is $2.77, or 57% higher than the $1.19 an Arkansas employers pay. Plus, Oklahoma earned a “D” grade in the delivery of medical treatment under the existing lawsuit based system.

I encourage House members to place the best interests of the wage earner and job creator ahead of the defenders of the flawed status quo and approve Senate Bill 1062.

Governor Fallin’s endorsement of an administrative system should improve the likelihood of House passage.

Morgan Also Praises Action

State Chamber President Fred Morgan also praised the action: “Today the Oklahoma Senate took an important step toward replacing Oklahoma’s broken, court-based workers’ compensation system with the passage of Senate Bill 1062. We look forward to ending the adversarial nature of the system that often pits employer vs. employee so we can instead focus on getting employees quality, timely medical care and back on the job as soon as possible. Our workers’ comp system is holding our state back economically and we appreciate the strong stance the state Senate took today toward changing the system so it works better for all Oklahomans. Oklahoma employers and employees need relief from the current system now and we look forward to the swift passage of this critical legislation in the House.


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