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The PA Chamber has joined numerous state and national business organizations, including several state chambers of commerce, in signing a letter to the U.S. House of Representatives in opposition to the proposed National Commission on State Workers' Compensation Laws Act of 2009.
The legislation (H.R. 635) would establish a national commission to study and evaluate the adequacy of state workers' compensation law and report back to Congress its findings and recommendations. These recommendations would directly impact state WC laws, as well as the employer funded state WC systems.

The business community believes the establishment of a national commission will serve as a vehicle to undermine state-based workers' compensation systems.

Once concern: the commission's membership is clearly unbalance as proposed and can only be intended to reach a foregone conclusion that the imposition of federal direction on all states' workers' compensation systems is needed.

Business groups contend otherwise, pointing out that states' WC systems have continued to improve for decades based on the unique economies, business environments and traditions of each state. A one-size-fits-all federal program that is slow to change and administratively cumbersome would have unintended consequences for a system that has been operating effectively for decades.

In the letter, the business groups stressed that the performance of state-based workers' compensation systems is the responsibility of the states and their respective legislatures and stakeholders. It is not the province of Congress to interfere in the state administration of workers' compensation.

To read the letter, click here.