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Poll results

As many as 20 workers' compensation bills are under consideration by the 129th Legislature. Those bills seek to revise some of the reforms enacted in 1992, which helped to move Maine from having the highest workers’ comp costs in the nation to now being closer to the middle. As reported by the Portland Press Herald, changes being considered include: Removing caps and restrictions on benefits; increasing the allowable time for workers to apply; lowering the burden of proof to claim mental health injuries; adding annual cost-of-living adjustments to payments. Support for the changes has been voiced by labor and lawyer groups. Opponents have voiced concern that the various proposals could jeopardize reductions in workers’ comp costs resulting from the 1992 reforms.


 

Do you think Maine’s workers’ compensation system needs to be reformed?
Yes (20%, 17 VOTES)
No (80%, 70 VOTES)
Poll Description

As many as 20 workers' compensation bills are under consideration by the 129th Legislature. Those bills seek to revise some of the reforms enacted in 1992, which helped to move Maine from having the highest workers’ comp costs in the nation to now being closer to the middle. As reported by the Portland Press Herald, changes being considered include: Removing caps and restrictions on benefits; increasing the allowable time for workers to apply; lowering the burden of proof to claim mental health injuries; adding annual cost-of-living adjustments to payments. Support for the changes has been voiced by labor and lawyer groups. Opponents have voiced concern that the various proposals could jeopardize reductions in workers’ comp costs resulting from the 1992 reforms.


 

  • 87 Votes
  • 8 Comments
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8 Comments

  • May 1, 2019
    The reforms we adopted in the '90's work well and are fair. It is not reasonable to provide lifetime benefits for an insurance program that is supposed to be work-related. The bill calling for that needs to be defeated.
  • May 1, 2019

    I think there is always room for improvement but I hope that whatever is passed will not tip the scales in favor of either side. It should be fair and balanced so as not to totally favor the injured worker or businesses. This is not easy. Too many programs like this are taken advantage of, which ruins it for the truly needy and injured. Choose wisely please and keep the scales balanced to help those that really deserve it and need it.

  • May 1, 2019

    Whatever flaws may exist, and no system is ever perfect, should be addressed individually rather than reforming the entire system. Compared to the Workers' Comp system that pre-existed MEMIC, the current system is a blessing.

  • Sandra Macdonald
    May 1, 2019

    There needs to be a thoughtful and balanced review of the entire process to ensure workers are treated fairly and equitably while allowing employers to effectively manage the process without going out of business.

  • May 1, 2019
    I believe there are a number of people who abuse Workers Compensation, which is very costly for workers' comp and frustrating to us who go to work everyday. Are there any bills put forward to add active investigators to check on these people's true inability to work?