Insurer Group Says Kan. Workers’ Comp Bill in Senate for Possible Veto Override

The Property Casualty Insurers Association of America expressed disappointment with Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius’ decision to veto comprehensive workers’ compensation reform legislation.

“SB 461 made needed changes in the Kansas workers’ compensation system to improve the business climate and restore balance and fairness to the states’ workers compensation program,” said Don Cleasby, vice president, regional manager and counsel for PCI.

This proposed legislation would have made it less likely that employers would pay for workers’ compensation preexisting conditions that were not work related. It also would not allow for an employee to reopen a claim if they were unemployed due to a downturn in the economy. In addition, it simplified the test for work disability benefits. Current law requires a review of an injured worker’s employment history over the past 15 years to analyze job tasks performed. This legislation would have reduced that window to five years, according to Cleasby.

In a coordinated effort with the Kansas Chamber of Commerce and other pro-business organizations, PCI worked to communicate the merits of the bill. PCI told lawmakers that workers compensation coverage was never intended to provide payment for non-work-related injuries.

“Enactment of these needed reforms would have brought fairness and balance back to the Kansas workers compensation system. SB 461 would have strengthened Kansas’ competitive standing among states, improved the states economic prospects, and created a better environment for job growth. This is a missed opportunity to reduce costs to the entire worker compensation system benefiting employers of all sizes from all parts of Kansas,” said Cleasby.

The bill has been returned to the full Senate for a possible veto override.

PCI identifies itself as a national insurance trade association with 1,000 member companies, representing the broadest cross-section of insurers of any national trade association. PCI members write over $184 billion in annual premium and 41.6 percent of the private workers compensation market.

Source: Property Casualty Insurers Association of America

Topics Carriers Legislation Workers' Compensation Kansas Politics