The Senate Committee on Labor and Regulatory Reform held a public hearing on Feb. 14 on SB 665, legislation proposed by the Wisconsin Worker’s Compensation Advisory Council. The bill is the biennial agreement between management and labor for reform in the worker’s compensation system.

At the hearing, several groups testified in favor of the bill. Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce jointly testified with the State AFL-CIO.  Their testimony focused on the controversial medical fee schedule provision which would lower costs for worker’s compensation medical bills in Wisconsin. Several other business groups, including the Worker’s Compensation Employers Coalition, made up of nearly 50 businesses, submitted testimony supporting the bill that they say would reduce costs and align Wisconsin’s worker’s compensation system with other states.

Wisconsin Medical Society testified in opposition to the bill, saying the medical fee schedule would result in less available and less efficient care for worker’s compensation patients. Wisconsin Hospital Association also spoke against the bill, telling committee members that the medical fee schedule would not reduce the actual underlying costs of administrating the worker’s compensation system. Several other medical groups and employees testified and/or registered in opposition to the bill.

Committee Chair Sen. Steve Nass (R-Whitewater) has indicated he is not interested in voting on the bill. Assembly Speaker Robin Vos (R-Rochester) has also indicated the bill is unlikely to move in his chamber this session.