House Budgets for Dispute Resolution Changes

The Texas House of Representatives authorized more than $4.1 million for state agencies to cover expected new costs of workers' compensation medical dispute appeals. That funding would be generated by the maintenance tax assessed on workers' compensation insurers to fund operation of the Texas Department of Insurance and Office of Injured Employee Counsel. The House approved the money in anticipation that its members also will pass proposed changes to the medical-dispute resolution process. That bill's author, Rep. Burt Solomon, R-Carrollton, said the rider bill approved Wednesday was nee...