A.9721-b (Bronson) / S.7634-b (Martins)

STAFF CONTACT :

Director of Government Affairs
518.465.7511

BILL

A.9721-b (Bronson) / S.7634-b (Martins)

SUBJECT

Authorizes the care and treatment of injured employees by licensed acupuncturists under the workers' compensation law.

DATE

Oppose

The Business Council opposes A.9721-a (Bronson) / S.7634-a (Martins) which would mandate the workers' compensation system to include treatment by yet another group of providers and mandate that employers and insurers pay for the services of licensed acupuncturists under the Workers' Compensation Law.

The adoption of objective medical treatment guidelines for injured workers, that identify specific medical treatments that are considered appropriate and effective, has been a significant undertaking and one that the Business Council hopes will bring not only the best care to injured workers but will provide that care in cost-effective manner.

A similar bill to A.9721-a/ S.7634-a was vetoed by the Governor last year. While this bill has attempted to correct some of the deficiencies in the previous bill, the underlying issue, that his bill would greatly broaden the scope and breadth of the services provided under the workers' compensation system, remains the same. There is little doubt that this bill would lead to proliferation of acupuncture treatment under the system and will significantly increase costs for employers, at a time when reducing the costs of an extraordinarily expensive system should be a priority.

To impose legislatively-determined treatment and provider status contradicts the purpose of the development and implementation of evidence-based medical treatment guidelines and would undermine the extensive work done by the Board.

The Business Council respectfully opposes A.9721-a / S.7634-a as contrary to the purpose of New York's evidence-based medical treatment guidelines and cost-effective treatment goals.