by Chas Bonner
At times the comparisons get overworked, but since we operate primarily in the Intermountain West, regarded as Red States, we notice the more outlandish comparisons, and consider ourselves lucky to live and work in Red States.
The October 23 edition of the Wall Street Journal published an article entitled “WASHINGTON vs. OREGON: A Case Study in Privatization vs. State-Run Insurance.” At present time, all workers’ compensation in Washington is underwritten by a state agency---a monopoly, but in Oregon, workers’ compensation was privatized many years ago.
Some astounding differences in the results posted by both states:
- In Washington, a worker with a time-loss injury misses an average of 270 days of work; in Oregon, the average is 70 days.
- In 2007/08 Washington pensioned 3600 workers with permanent disability; Oregon pensioned 24.
- Despite a 52% decrease in job injuries in Washington since 1990, insurance taxes have escalated 53% in 10 years; Oregon premiums have not risen in over 20 years.
- West Virginia privatized worker’s compensation insurance 5 years ago. Two hundred insurance companies have moved in, and rates are now 30% lower than when the state had the monopoly.
Yet more reasons why so many businesses are moving to business-friendly, RED states.
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