Rating:

0.0 (0 votes)

HELENA - The Montana House of Representatives on Wednesday put the final stamp of approval on a bill aimed at reforming the workers compensation system.

Legislators brought two competing bills this session. State Senator Ryan Zinke (R-Whitefish) is carrying the first bill which saves money by cutting provider rates. State Representative Scott Reichner (R-Bigfork) is carrying the other bill which saves money by cutting benefits to injured workers.

Zinke's bill died in committee while the House passed Reichner's bill.

"You look at work comp rates, do you realize that we have to drop, if we drop 20% in our rates this year, you know that gets us to 45th in the nation in work comp rates. 45th! That's how bad it is, folks," Reichner said.

"Now this bill is going to come back to us in some fashion, it's going to come back to us with some amendments," commented Representative Chuck Hunter (D-Helena). "It's going to come back to us maybe with some views from the Governor. Maybe we will have a chance to bring some more balance to this bill, I hope we do, because as of today this bill isn't balances and it isn't fair."

This bill must pass a third reading before heading to the Senate.