Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Lawmakers Hear Heated Debate Over Workers’ Compensation Medical Reforms in HB 2218
Summary
Supporters including labor groups and medical providers urged HB 2218 to restore provider choice and speed care for injured workers; business groups and the Department of Labor & Industries warned it could weaken evidence-based standards, raise costs and needs further refinement.
The Labor and Workplace Standards Committee heard extended testimony Jan. 16 on House Bill 2218, a proposal to change workers' compensation medical treatment rules, restore aspects of provider choice, and ease certain constraints of the state's medical provider network.
Sponsor Rep. Lillian Ortiz Self (21st Legislative District) said the bill is bipartisan and urged the committee to address persistent rural access issues and delays in care. She described a constituent who tore a tendon and faced weeks of waiting for appropriate surgery because required steps routed him through physical therapy and utilization review before surgeons could be consulted.
Labor unions and injured-worker advocates —…
Already have an account? Log in
Subscribe to keep reading
Unlock the rest of this article — and every article on Citizen Portal.
- Unlimited articles
- AI-powered breakdowns of topics, speakers, decisions, and budgets
- Instant alerts when your location has a new meeting
- Follow topics and more locations
- 1,000 AI Insights / month, plus AI Chat
