Anyone who has suffered a serious injury knows of the uncertainty that it can create for a person and his or her family. Medical bills can quickly become overwhelming, and a person may have to attempt to manage these bills while experiencing a loss of wages because of missed work during the period of recovery. People who are injured at work, however, may be able to see some relief as a result of the workers’ compensation insurance coverage that Illinois employers are required to provide for their employees. These programs could see some changes as Gov. Bruce Rauner is calling for reforms of state requirements.
Gov. Rauner says that he is concerned about the financial toll providing such benefits places on business owners. Although the program was revamped in 2011, the cost of insurance in Illinois per $100 of income is one of the highest in the country. Some argue that this ranking is due to insurance companies who are unwilling to to pass savings along to businesses, rather than a failure of the current workers’ compensation program.
As a result, Gov. Rauner wants to make the costs more manageable. Doing so, however, could make it more difficult for injured workers to qualify for benefits and reduce fees paid to some medical care providers. Opponents claim that changes pushed by the governor would ultimately hurt Illinois families. Lawmakers have recently met to debate the proposed changes.
Anyone who has been injured at work likely knows that workers’ compensation insurance benefits are sometimes difficult to obtain. Many people already seek the help of an experienced professional in Illinois to help ensure they receive the benefits to which they are entitled. Having someone fight for them helps to reduce some of the stress placed on them as they struggle to recover from an injury suffered while at work.
Source: Chicago Sun-Times, “Illinois lawmakers to debate workers’ compensation insurance”, May 5, 2015
