HB 1594 was defeated. The bill would have required an employer to include a chiropractor on its panel of physicians anytime the injury involved the neck, back or spine. The Chamber successfully opposed an attempt to require that the employer's existing HMO network serve as the panel. In the face of opposition, the patron of a measure to expand permanent partial disability coverage withdrew the bill. The measure would have raised costs and increased litigation.
Several measures are on the docket for the coming week.
The Virginia Chamber is working with the patron of HB 2039 on problems with this measure that is designed to address instances where the employer or insurer delays or denies medical payments after an award has been approved. The Chamber is opposing SB 1189 that prohibits the Workers' Comp Commission from suspending an employee's benefits before conducting a hearing. The bill will be very costly to employers. The Virginia Chamber is opposing HB 2481 that would extend the statute of limitations for filing a claim for discrimination based on whistle blowing about an employer's safety or health violations. This expansion from 30 days to one year is unwarranted and inconsistent with federal OSHA requirements.