• Workers’ comp update Workers’ comp update Councilman Jay Furfaro is to be congratulated for his action regarding Wilcox Health’s consideration of dropping workman’s compensation cases. Furfaro submitted a non-binding resolution to the Council on July 20. His resolution succinctly
• Workers’ comp update
Workers’ comp update
Councilman Jay Furfaro is to be congratulated for his action regarding Wilcox Health’s consideration of dropping workman’s compensation cases.
Furfaro submitted a non-binding resolution to the Council on July 20.
His resolution succinctly listed the problems that a decision to drop workman’s comp cases would cause on Kaua‘i including lengthy delays in care for injured workers and a costly absence from work for employers, in addition to the potential cost of flying workers to Honolulu for treatment.
The resolution was effectively tabled this week by the Council after a letter from Wilcox Health Chief Operating Officer Paula Dias assured the Council that Kaua‘i’s main healthcare provider would continue to provide care for worker’s comp cases.
However, we advise the Council to hang on to the resolution for it is unclear in the Wilcox Health letter whether the hospital plans to continue to provide workers’ comp care for just the short-term, or for the long-term. While Wilcox has said that for now their are still taking workers’ comp patients, we want to know if this issue is resolved, or has it been temporarily put on hold because of the outcry from our community.
The letter cites ongoing discussions with the state Department of Labor and Industrial Relations over the issue realted to workmans’ comp, but fails to outline what specific issues are being discussed.
It appears that Wilcox Health has left their options open in regards to the workers’ comp issue, while also saying they are working with the state, with employers, the Legislature and workman’s comp insurance carriers.
We see the continuation of workman’s comp care an absolute for Kaua‘i. While staying in the black is a consideration in the operation of a healthcare organization, a way needs to be found to make this work.
Our Kaua‘i members of the Legislature need to be involved in this issue. The lack of action at the State Capitol on reforming the workers’ comp issue is a chronic one that seems to be set aside year after year at the end of the legislative session.
We wonder, too, what would have happened in this instance without the ongoing series of articles in The Garden Island, and the action of Councilman Furfaro. We applaud Mr. Furfaro for taking initiative, and forcing the issue with Wilcox. Its nice to see our council in action, and taking the lead role in looking out for Kauai’s residents and businesses.*
