National – The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) released their proposed heat rule. The rule aims to protect workers in both indoor and outdoor workplaces to reduce illnesses, heat-related injuries, and deaths. Public comments on the rule will open once the rule is published in the Federal Register. The agency did not state when they are planning on publishing the rule in the Federal Register.
S. Representative Tim Walberg (R-MI) introduced the Improving Access to Workers’ Compensation for Injured Federal Workers Act (HR 618). If passed the bill would allow eligible providers to treat injured federal workers. This week, the sponsor, Rep Tim Walberg, amended the definition of “eligible providers” to include physician assistants making them and nurse practitioners eligible to treat injured federal workers.
The Department of Labor (DOL) will be hosting a benefits information session for nuclear weapons workers on July 18th in the Chicago IL area. The information session is for current and former nuclear weapons workers employed at covered facilities on the benefits established by the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act. To learn more, click here.
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) releasedPharmacy Benefit Managers: The Power Middlemen Inflating Drug Costs and Squeezing Main Street Pharmacies The report argues that PBMs are benefiting from inflated drug costs while exploiting local pharmacies. To learn more, check out the New York Times Article here.
NCCI released the Labor Market Insights report this week. The report aims to provide an overview of key labor market statistics and the impact these statistics may have on the workers’ compensation world.
Arkansas – The Arkansans for Patient Access (APA) submitted 111,402 signatures to the Medical Marijuana Amendment of 2024 for the November ballot. The Medical Marijuana Amendment of 2024 aims to improve access to medical marijuana specifically for people in rural areas, like Arkansas.
Florida –The Florida Division of Workers’ Compensation released the state’s 2024 medical fee schedule. The schedule will take effect on January 1, 2025, and can be found here.
Hawaii – Hawaii Governor Josh Green enacted the following two bills:
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- HB 1889, as a reminder the bill recognizes that female firefighters may be at increased risk of breast, cervical, and uterine cancers.
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- HB 1836, as a reminder the bill would allow pharmacists to prescribe and fill prescriptions up to a thirty-day supply of controlled substances during a declared state of emergency.
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Massachusetts – H2189 is currently in the House. H2189 aims to improve the effectiveness of the prescription drug monitoring program. Specifically, the bill would require registered participants to use a prescription drug monitoring program before issuing prescriptions.
Michigan – HB 4409 also known as Drug Manufacturer Data Reporting Act, passed the Senate this week. HB 4409 aims to ensure Michigan’s drug companies are transparent about drug pricing. If enacted, HB 4409 would require drug manufacturers to file cost-related information with the Department of Insurance and Financial Services.
Nevada – The Nevada Workers’ Compensation Section reported a 10.4% increase in the maximum monthly benefits. According to the report, the maximum benefit increased to $5,630.43 for the fiscal year, which is a $524.48 increase.
Ohio – The Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation shared they are reopening their safety grant program and offering $35 million to help employers purchase equipment to protect their workers in the fiscal year 2025. The agency will be providing 8 different grants, including a Firefighter Exposure to Environmental Elements Grant (FEEEG) Program.
Washington – Washington State Department of Labor and Industries announced this week that injured workers are expected to see a 5.9% increase in pension payments and time-loss beginning in July. This increase is the 2024-2025 Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA). The increased benefits will apply to employees collecting workers’ compensation for injuries on or before July 1, 2023.
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