National – The U.S. Department of Labor announced a settlement with Amazon, requiring the company to implement corporate-wide ergonomic measures across its facilities. This agreement aims to protect employees from hazardous working conditions that can lead to serious musculoskeletal disorders. The settlement resolves multiple ergonomics cases against Amazon and mandates the company to assess and mitigate ergonomic risks annually.
According to a USA Today article, at the start of 2025, drugmakers plan to increase U.S. prices on over 250 branded medications, including Pfizer’s COVID-19 treatment Paxlovid, Bristol Myers Squibb’s cancer cell therapies, and Sanofi vaccines, based on data from 3 Axis Advisors. To learn more, check out this First World Pharma article on the topic.
Workers’ Compensation Research Institute (WCRI) released a flash report, Heat-Related Illnesses in the Workplace. The report reveals that heat-related illnesses (HRIs), including heat exhaustion and heat stroke, increase at least sevenfold on days when temperatures exceed 90°F compared to days between 75°F and 80°F.
Florida – This week, Florida State Representative Joe Casello (D) introduced HB 87, a bill designed to expand the list of cancers covered under a statutory scheme that provides benefits to firefighters as an alternative to workers’ compensation. The proposed legislation would include acute myeloid leukemia and, if enacted, would take effect on January 1.
Massachusetts– After a flurry of last-minute activity, the Massachusetts legislature passed H 5159 and S 3012. These companion bills aim to enhance the market review process and improve healthcare access and affordability. Key provisions include expanding the Health Policy Commission’s authority to include pharmaceutical companies and pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs), enhancing reporting requirements, and establishing new licensing standards for healthcare facilities. It also introduces stricter penalties for non-compliance and specifically extends liability under the False Claims Act to private equity owners who are aware of violations and fail to address them. The legislation was sent to Governor Healey on December 30th and was signed early January 8th.
Montana – LC 1564 is currently under consideration in the Senate. This bill seeks to amend the state’s workers’ compensation laws to include coverage for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) for first responders. It specifically aims to extend PTSD coverage to police officers, firefighters, and emergency medical personnel, detailing the criteria for eligibility. The bill aims to ensure that those who develop PTSD because of their job can receive the necessary support.
Nevada – The Nevada Workers’ Compensation Section announced, that beginning in January, a 2.3% annual increase in the monthly benefit rate for injured workers receiving permanent total disability (PTD) benefits and dependent survivor benefits.
Ohio – The Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC) invites feedback on two fee schedule rules and an outpatient formulary regulation. The bureau plans to implement annual updates to the rules for hospital outpatient services and ambulatory surgical center (ASC) services payments. Additionally, the ASC aims to revise the outpatient medication formulary. The proposed changes for hospital rules will align with Medicare’s 2025 outpatient service payment guidelines, while the ASC rules will adopt Medicare’s 2025 updates for ambulatory surgical centers. Comments can be sent to CSIPublicComments@governor.ohio.gov through January 13th.
Oklahoma – SB 161 is currently in the Senate. If passed, this bill would require pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) to maintain a legal obligation to act in the best interest of their clients, also known as a fiduciary duty
Texas – Late December, HB 1667 was introduced in the Texas State House. The bill aims to revise the state’s workers’ compensation laws to include post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as a compensable condition for first responders. Specifically, the bill specifies that eligible first responders would include police officers, firefighters, and emergency medical personnel.
Virginia – SB 788 was introduced in the Senate at the end of December. If passed, it aims to amend workers’ compensation to include injuries caused by repetitive and sustained physical stressors such as occupational diseases. The bill would cover conditions resulting from repetitive motions, exertions, posture stresses, contact stresses, vibrations, or noises.
State Senator Bryce Reeves (R) introduced SB 860, which aims to increase workers’ compensation benefits for law enforcement officers and firefighters suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, or depression incurred in the line of duty. The bill extends the maximum duration of benefits from 52 weeks to 500 weeks and removes limitations on medical treatment and incapacity benefits. It also broadens the definition of law-enforcement officers to include civilian crime scene investigators for these claims. This legislation seeks to provide more comprehensive support for those facing significant mental health challenges due to their service.
This week, two bills were introduced in the Virginia State House:
- HB 1902 aims to improve the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP). If passed, the bill would require the inclusion of overdose data in the PDMP to enhance the monitoring and response to the opioid crisis and other substance abuse issues. Additionally, the bill mandates that practitioners obtain this data when prescribing opioids.
- HB 1851 would expand workers’ compensation benefits for sheriffs and deputy sheriffs. Specifically, the bill would establish a presumption for certain cancers, including leukemia, pancreatic, prostate, rectal, throat, ovarian, breast, colon, brain, testicular, thyroid, and bladder cancer.
- HB 1993 expands workers’ compensation benefits by creating a presumption for throat cancer among certain public safety employees. The covered employees include salaried or volunteer firefighters, State Police Officers, local police department members, sheriffs and deputy sheriffs, hazardous materials officers, city sergeants, Virginia Marine Police officers, conservation police officers, Capitol Police officers, special agents of the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority, airport police officers, Virginia Port Authority police officers, campus police officers, and salaried or volunteer emergency medical services personnel.
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