Monday, February 18, 2013

Brad Lager's Capitol Report -- Fixing Missouri's Second Injury Fund



In the last five years, Missouri’s Second Injury Fund has become insolvent.  Loopholes and poor eligibility decisions have allowed outrageous abusers to gain access to the fund.  As a result, Missouri’s employers are being faced to pay more which put them at a competitive disadvantage with employers in other states.  In order to address this growing problem, last week, the Missouri Senate took significant steps towards much needed reform.

Missouri’s Second Injury fund was created in 1943 to encourage the employment of individuals (primarily veterans) with a previous disability by limiting an employer’s liability for accidents occurring beyond the workplace.  In 2005, Missouri’s fund carried a $25 million surplus.  By 2008, the economy was slowing which brought less money into the fund even though claims were skyrocketing.  Earlier this year, the state auditor estimated that the Second Injury Fund now has a $28 million debt with approximately 30,000 outstanding claims.

Senate Bill 1 provides a solution that will return solvency to the fund and address the legitimate unpaid claims while mitigating, but not eliminating, the negative impact to Missouri’s employers.  This legislation establishes a new priority for paying claims, restores reasonable eligibility requirements, and limits what qualifies for financial awards.

These reforms will help lessen the strain on employers as they work to energize our state’s economy.  The outlandish waste and fraud in the Second Injury Fund will be stopped.  And the fund will now be solvent for those who have legitimate claims.  Finally, our state government will be a facilitator in creating an economic climate that is fair, accountable, and beneficial to the citizens it serves.

As always, please feel free to call, email, or write with your ideas or concerns.  The Capitol number is (573) 751-1415, my email is brad.lager@senate.mo.gov and my mailing address is Room 422, State Capitol Building, Jefferson City, MO 65101.

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