Opioid rates down despite spike during the pandemic
- The California State Compensation Insurance Fund recently announced that they have reduced the number of opioid prescriptions for the injured workers they provide care for by 82% since 2014.
- Over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic between 2020 and 2021, State Fund’s opioid reduction program resulted in a 14% decrease in the number of opioid prescriptions for injured workers.
- State Fund saw a 91% decrease in total opioid spending from 2014-2021 and a 17% decrease in spending from 2020-2021.
- The number of patients taking high doses of opioids (80+ MEDs) for more than three months has decreased by 91% from 2014-2021 and decreased by 11% from 2020-2021
Groups for Cannabis Association of New York Inc. Safety Group
- McNeil & Co., a risk management and insurance firm, and the Cannabis Association of New York are forming a workers’ compensation safety group for the New York cannabis industry.
- The NYSIF recently gave approval for the Cannabis Association of New York Inc. Safety Group, with McNeil as its manager, to provide a sustainable workers’ compensation solution for the New York cannabis industry.
- The Proposed Group will be assigned on a temporary basis to group number 3075.
- McNeil and CANY are trying to ensure the state has strong and cost-effective insurance options, along with risk management.
‘Woke’ abortion policies insult women?
- Major U.S. companies, such as Amazon, Disney, Bank of America and Kroger, will pay for women to travel to get abortions.
- Some of these firms will pay up to $4,000 for the procedure.
- Laurie Todd-Smith, former director of the Women’s Bureau at the U.S. Department of Labor, contends these policies are “soft bigotry” because they say women can’t be successful if they have children.
- Todd-Smith argues there’s no need for a double standard.
Bill improves access for injured workers
- The California Legislature passed Senate Bill 1002, which is being lauded by lawmakers nationwide.
- The measure authorizes licensed clinical social workers (LCSWs) to provide assessment and treatment to an injured worker when referred by a physician during a workers’ compensation claim.
- California joins New York and Texas in allowing LCSW’s to join networks to provide treatment to injured workers.
- “California SB 1002 … will have immediate, additional mental and behavioral health resources available with the inclusion of LCSWs,” Julian Roberts, President, and CEO of AAPAN said.