Bulls**t Alert: Texans benefit from alternatives to workers' compensation
Texas has become the nation's economic engine in large part by allowing competition to thrive in markets, even in such unlikely activities as providing benefits for injured workers.
Since 1913, Texas employers have been allowed to opt out of the state workers' compensation system and adopt private plans to meet their employees' needs. Employees have benefited by experiencing better medical outcomes, including shorter periods of disability and fewer claim disputes. Many employees also receive better wage replacement benefits. Employers have benefited through lower costs, and they are also more likely to pay attention to worker safety.
Apparently, though, healthier workers and lower costs don't seem to matter to several members of Congress, the U.S. Department of Labor or special interests that appear opposed to free-market alternatives to workers' compensation. If the opposition were to succeed in disrupting or shutting down Texas' private injury benefits market, Texas' workers, businesses, and economy will suffer.
Earlier this year, the Labor Department launched an investigation into Texas' private injury benefits market. Secretary Thomas Perez said the department would use its "bully pulpit" to look into Texas' private sector alternative — which he calls a "disturbing trend." This investigation comes at a time when several members of Congress are calling on the department to consider "strengthening [its] oversight of state workers' compensation programs" while criticizing "opt out" programs like Texas'.
Read more: https://www.tribtalk.org/2016/10/03/texans-benefit-from-alternatives-to-workers-compensation/
[font color=330099]This piece which appears in a publication associated with the somewhat liberal Texas Tribune was written by two employees of the Texas Public Policy Foundation. What this article fails to note is that about one-third of businesses in Texas do not have workers compensation insurance thus employees must prove negligence or liability in court if they are injured. During the time they are waiting for trial they are on their own seeking medical treatment and paying for medical bills. This is bad public policy and Texas should be ashamed that they are the only state that does not mandate workers compensation insurance for employers.[/font]
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