FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | CONTACT: |
April 22, 2002 | Christine Baker |
(415) 703-4220 |
CHSWC Issues Background Paper on the State of the
Workers' Compensation Insurance Industry
SAN
FRANCISCO -- The Commission on Health and Safety and Workers' Compensation (CHSWC) has
released its Background Paper State of the Workers Compensation
Insurance Industry in California. The
viability of the insurance industry is vital to maintaining the health of the
workers compensation system, which benefits both workers and employers.
CHSWC
and the community have expressed concerns regarding the current and future solvency of the
California insurance industry. CHSWC
recommends that efforts be expended to stabilize the workers compensation insurance
market as soon as possible, identify the impact of the insurance industrys current
financial crisis on the employers and employees, and determine the consequences of loss of
competitiveness.
The report contains a synopsis of
testimony at CHSWCs February 2002 public hearing on the state of the workers
compensation insurance industry, including comments from Michael Nolan of the California
Workers Compensation Institute (CWCI); Mark Webb of the American Insurance
Association, Larry Mulryan of the California Insurance Guarantee Association (CIGA); David
Bellusci of the Workers Compensation California Rating Bureau (WCIRB); Norris Clark
and Larry White of the California Department of Insurance (CDI), James Neary and Pat
Quintana of the State Compensation Insurance Fund (SCIF), Gilbert Stein and Rick Wooley of
the California Applicants Attorneys Association (CAAA) and Richard P. Gannon, Glenn
Shor and Mark Johnson of the California Division of Workers Compensation (DWC).
CHSWC, created by the workers
compensation reform legislation of 1993, is charged with overseeing the health and safety
and workers compensation systems in California and recommending administrative or
legislative modifications to improve their operation.
The Commission was established to conduct a continuing examination of the
workers compensation system and of the states activities to prevent industrial
injuries and occupational diseases and to examine those programs in other states.
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For any questions regarding this bulletin, please contact:
Commission on Health and Safety and Workers' Compensation (CHSWC)
455 Golden Gate Avenue, 10th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94102
Email: chswc@dir.ca.gov
Phone: (415) 703-4220 Fax: (415) 703-4234
Contact Person: Christine Baker