Issue: The so-called 'reform' of workers' compensation is an unparalleled disaster. Let's radically reform the so-called 'reform' -- and quickly.

Gov. Schwarzenegger's and the legislature's so-called 'reforms' are the laughingstock of the nation -- unless you're an injured worker: But if you're not in this position, thank your lucky stars. As it stands now, an injured worker has to wait weeks for treatment. A study by the California Medical Association, treatment of patients in the state's workers' compensation system is often delayed, sometimes for months. These delays seem to be related to two provisions in the latest reform package: The first is that insurance companies may refer doctors' recommendations for treatment to a reviewing physician, and the second is that doctors must use nationally recognized guidelines for treatment, rather than relying on their own experience and knowledge of the patient.

These changes have doctors being second-guessed by physicians who are many times specialists in unrelated medical fields. Often, the insurance company doctors refuse to approve treatment or don't return phone calls, resulting in delays.

Thanks to these most recent, so-called 'reforms,' profits have continually climbed, with some companies gaining record profits. Because Gov. Schwarzenegger and the legislature have taken away benefits from injured workers -- benefits that are arguably already too low -- non-regulation of the insurance companies have not reduced premiums by a single dollar.

Simply put, insurance companies pocket the money for workers' compensation that is not paid out to injured workers.

This campaign pledges to bring true reform, not the current 'reform' that benefits the insurance companies and their stockholders. And this true reform needs to be implemented NOW. The Green Party recognizes the need for proper health care and rehabilitation for injured workers, and electing Larry Cafiero to the Insurance Commissioner's post ensures that injured workers -- and the surviving families of workers killed on the job -- get treated properly and with due respect.

[Got a workers' comp horror story? Let the campaign know here.]

Got an issue?

The preceding list outlines one of the main issues: Led by the Green Party's 10 Key Values, the Greens and Larry Cafiero have a variety of other issues dealing with insurance matters. Do you have an issue you'd like addressed? E-mail the candidate here.

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