March 01, 2001
ECONOMY

MTF Testifies Against Costly Workers' Compensation Legislation

Legislative Testimony: MTF testimony in opposition to legislation that would weaken the competitive position of Massachusetts employers by undoing the successful reforms of the workers' compensation system enacted in 1991. By increasing benefit levels, weakening utilization review and encouraging additional appeals, H. 777 would head the Commonwealth back towards a system characterized by exploding premium costs, misguided financial incentives and enormous backlogs that harmed both employers and employees. Despite the 1991 improvements and several other targeted tax relief measures, Massachusetts employers continue to face serious cost disadvantages vis-a-vis their competitors in other states.