ODOD's Position on WC

[Guest guest]

Dear Doctors:

I believe all of you know that ODOC introduced House Bill 2790 during the

last legislative session. That bill asked the legislature to expand the current

treatment restrictions from 12 visits over a 30 day period to 24 visits of a

90 day period. Our bill failed because MLAC would not recommend this workers

compensation change to the legislature. ODOC know before the session that they

would not make any changes in the current WC system, but we did it anyway.

ODOC did testify before MLAC during last session asking for their support,

telling them we are going to present it to the legislature with or without them.

Our Bill received a great deal of Legislative support as a result there have

been personal changes on the MLAC committee, MLAC is doing their own work comp

survey and they have invited ODOC to participate in the process for future

changes in the treatment of injured workers. MLAC knows that we are going to

introduce our Bill again in 2007 and they also know that the legislature wants

the restrictions on Chiropractic improved.

MLAC and the Oregon State Legislature will not give us full attending status

or do a study that was introduced by CAO. If they did it would be vetoed by

you know how. At this time our profession has a good chance to expand our

coverage without the gatekeeper to 24 visits over 90 days. I did testify in

Portand on January before MLAC that the Chiropractic profession would love to

have

full attending status, but I also know that they would not let us have it at

this time.

ODOC was once again asked to appear before MLAC on April 14 Th. to provide

additional information and answer questions concurring the Workers Comp study

that we provided to this subcommittee.

Once again to set the record straight I asked Dr. Vern Sabo from CAO to join

ODOC in this LEGISLATION activity but he refused. I hope this clears up this

issue.

Setera DC