ARAWC Salutes Oklahoma Elected Leaders

OKLAHOMA CITY, Sept. 17, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- The Association for Responsible Alternatives to Workers' Compensation (ARAWC), a national organization advocating for better communication and faster employee recovery and care, applauds all of the elected leaders in Oklahoma for their strong commitment passing much needed reforms that include options to workers' compensation.

Since state workers' compensation reforms that created the Oklahoma Option were enacted in 2013, workers' compensation rates have fallen for three consecutive years. The Oklahoma State Chamber calculated those savings at $368 million to the state of Oklahoma over the past three years due to the reforms.

"We expect to see rates continue to drop as this happens in competitive markets," said Brenda Barwick, ARAWC spokesperson. "The Oklahoma Option companies and the state-run workers' comp system are working competitively and innovatively to provide better services for businesses and greater protection for employees and their health."

The Oklahoma Option protects the employee by mandating that they receive at least the same benefits as traditional workers' compensation.  What's happened is the vast majority of workers covered by injury benefit plans are eligible for higher levels of wage replacement benefits than they would receive in workers' compensation. By providing improved employee communication and accountability in a competitive marketplace, the Option ensures injured employees receive expedited medical care for faster recovery, better medical management and treatment by excellent medical doctors. It also results in fewer benefit claim disputes.

"Competitive options to workers' compensation are both efficient and fair to workers and employers alike," Gov. Fallin said. "Competitive options to workers' compensation help strengthen Oklahoma's growth and economy."

Commissioner Doak added, "We have created an opportunity to bring new jobs from non-opt-out states to our workforce, given businesses an affordable alternative to the existing administrative workers' compensation system, and brought a new level of efficiency and care to Oklahoma's injured workers."  

Oklahoma's elected officials have once again shown that they are innovators by passing and implementing the workers' compensation Option. The benefits are clearly evident, and other states should be encouraged to follow Oklahoma's strong lead in making their workers' compensation system the best it can be -- by passing legislation allowing a free-market, competitive Option.

About Association for Responsible Alternatives to Workers' Compensation
The Association for Responsible Alternatives to Workers' Compensation (ARAWC) is a national organization formed to enhance employee communication, care and recovery. ARAWC advocates before state legislatures the benefits of an Option program for the betterment of employees and employers. For more information visit www.arawc.org.

SOURCE Association for Responsible Alternatives to Workers' Compensation (ARAWC)

Related Links

http://www.arawc.org