Mississippi Benefits Up, Nation Down

Mississippi has seen a rise of 8.0 percent in workers' compensation benefits to $253.5 million in 1999 from $234.7 million in 1998, according to a new report released by the National Academy of Social Insurance (NASI). These payments are for medical care and cash benefits for workers with injuries or illnesses caused on the job. At the same time, the number of workers in Mississippi covered by the program grew by 2.0 percent. The growth in benefits outpaced the 4.6 percent growth in wages, which led to a rise in benefits paid as a percent of payroll from 0.98 percent to 1.02 percent of payro...