Cafiero for Insurance Commissioner Press Release:
April 20, 2006

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, April 20, 2006
For More Information:
Larry Cafiero, Green candidate for Insurance Commissioner
831-429-2499 / 831-438-1401 / larry4inscomm@earthlink.net

Governor's claim of workers' comp 'success' is reprehensible,
Green Party candidate for Insurance Commissioner says

SANTA CRUZ -- Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's declaration Wednesday that the so-called workers' compensation reform of 2004 is "a huge success" is not only false, his claim is "nothing short of reprehensible," said Larry Cafiero, the Green Party's candidate for Insurance Commissioner.

"The governor contends that these so-called reforms are a result of bold leadership. But I would categorize them as an unqualified disaster, especially for those who have been injured on the job since 2004," said Cafiero. "To say that these 'reforms' are a success is not only laughable, it is nothing short of reprehensible."

As a result of SB899 passed in 2004, injured workers have been forced into employer-controlled "physician networks" rather than being treated by their personal physicians. In addition, the law does not regulate excess insurance premiums, meaning record-setting profits for insurers in 2005. In addition, insurance carriers can now routinely deny valid benefits and treatment with impunity.

Further, as part of the so-called "reform," penalties have been reduced for insurance carriers who repeatedly and unjustifiably withhold payments for accepted medical care and disability benefits. The Permanent Disability Schedule rushed into law as part of the package reduced injured workers' permanent disability compensation by an average of 70 percent.

"The governor calls all this a success?" Cafiero asks. "If you're an insurance carrier reaping the overwhelming profits of an unfair and unjust system, I would say he is right. However, when it comes to the true intention of workers' compensation Ðthe necessity of providing injured workers with adequate, proper health care Ð it is a travesty."

Not only was the bill signed into law by the governor, SB899 was passed in both Democrat-controlled houses of the state legislature by wide margins.

Cafiero, 48, is a newspaper editor by profession, and serves as the Green Party of California's Liaison to the Secretary of State. He lives in Scotts Valley with his wife, Kyoko, and their 8-year-old daughter.

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