Workers’ Comp Reform Bill Helps Small Business

National Federation of Independent Business • 225 State Street, Suite B • Harrisburg, PA 17101 • 717/232-8582 • Fax: 717/232-4098
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CONTACT: Suzanne Stoltenberg 717-232-8582 x1 C: 717-779-4721 [email protected]

Workers’ Comp Reform Bill Will Reduce the Cost of Insurance for Small Business
NFIB praised lawmakers for putting limits on physician dispensing

(HARRISBURG) Oct. 16, 2014 – The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) today praised lawmakers for passing legislation to reduce the spiraling costs of workers’ compensation insurance for small businesses in Pennsylvania. House Bill 1846, which passed the Senate 48-0 and the House 196-0, puts limits on the practice of physicians dispensing drugs to injured workers from their office at inflated prices and for extended periods of time. The measure now heads to Gov. Tom Corbett’s desk.

"Not only do injured workers pay more for drugs dispensed at a doctor’s office, those patients often take longer to return to work after injury," said NFIB Pa. Legislative Director Neal Lesher. "The goal of the workers’ compensation system is to cost-effectively treat injured workers and help them return to work as quickly as possible."

"This legislation will do both. We are delighted that lawmakers in both the Senate and the House felt the same and were willing to work in a strong bipartisan way with NFIB and other organizations to pass this important reform."

The bill will allow doctors to continue to prescribe to injured workers but limits the amount of the price hikes. It also limits the amount of time a patient could refill that prescription from a doctor’s office at that higher price.

NFIB thanked Rep. Marguerite Quinn (R-Bucks) for sponsoring the legislation and House Majority Leader Mike Turzai (R-Allegheny) for his support of the bill. NFIB praised Senator Lisa Baker (R-Luzerne) and Senate President Joe Scarnati (R-Jefferson) for shepherding the bill through the Senate.

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NFIB is the nation’s leading small business association, with offices in Washington, D.C. and all 50 state capitals. Founded in 1943 as a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization, NFIB gives small and independent business owners a voice in shaping the public policy issues that affect their business. NFIB’s powerful network of grassroots activists sends their views directly to state and federal lawmakers through our unique member-only ballot, thus playing a critical role in supporting America’s free enterprise system. NFIB’s mission is to promote and protect the right of our members to own, operate and grow their businesses. More information is available online at www.NFIB.com/newsroom.