Assembly Bill 1549 (AB-1549): Work Comp QME
[Koretz (District 42--West Hollywood)]

AIMS Position: SPONSOR-SUPPORT

Bill Status: Extended to two-year bill.

The Assembly Insurance Committee has held AB 1549 for consideration next year, making this a "two-year bill." After careful analysis and consultation with Assemblymember Koretz, AIMS concluded that the current political climate regarding Work Comp would make most Work Comp bills all but impossible to enact this year. AIMS agrees with and supports Assemblymember Koretz's decision to make this a "two year" bill. We will redouble our efforts on this bill later this year in order to assure passage in 2006.

This bill is aimed at improving the status of acupuncturists within the Work Comp system. This bill would permit the Administrative Director of the Division of Workers' Compensation to appoint acupuncturists as qualified medical evaluators (QME), would allow acupuncturists to perform disability ratings within the Work Comp system, and would permit acupuncturists and certain other health care practitioners to enter into contracts with the Administrative Director to be independent medical reviewers (IMR). This bill would eliminate discrimination against acupuncturists within the Work Comp system. For details, visit...

http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/cgi-bin/postquery?bill_number=ab_1549&sess=CUR