Daniels Presents Workers' Comp Reform

State Sen. Gary Daniels, R-Milford, hosted a press conference on Feb. 10, to discuss SB 3, or the Fair Medical Billing Act, which would reform the currently unsustainable Workers’ Compensation system in the state of New Hampshire.

As noted in the NH Department of Insurance November 2014 report, worker’s compensation claims can cost businesses up to five times more than general health care procedures, forcing New Hampshire companies to foot the bill.

“New Hampshire’s Workers’ Compensation rates for medical procedures have long been out of line with competitive prices and our state’s businesses are feeling the burden,” said Daniels. “The Fair Medical Billing act will provide the kind of serious reform this system needs, reducing rates and restoring the state’s competitive edge that attracts and retains quality businesses.”

New Hampshire workers’ comp claims are more expensive than any other New England State. For example, New Hampshire’s surgical claims cost 83 percent more on average than in other states.

“We need to focus on ways to eliminate factors that inhibit business growth in our state and addressing the state’s high workers’ comp rates helps do just that,” he added.

Additional supporters spoke at the press conference, including:

• Julie Hayward, President of Hayward & Company
• Ben Wilcox, President & General Manager of Cranmore Mountain; Chairman of Ski NH
• Mark Erdody, Vice President of Cove Risk; TPA for the NH Retail & Grocer’s Worker’s Comp Trusts
• Rusty McLear, President and CEO of Mills Falls at the Lake; Partner of Granite State Hospitality

More than 24 business groups representing 8,500 businesses and employ about 217,000 New Hampshire residents are in support of reducing workers’ compensation rates through SB3.

Daniels will introduce SB 3 at 2 p.m. in the Commerce hearing.

Caption: State Sen. Gary Daniels, R-Milford, was joined by supportive business owners to discuss SB 3 during a press conference on Feb. 10. The bill, the Fair Medical Billing Act, would reduce workers’ compensation rates for New Hampshire businesses.

Submitted text and courtesy photo.