Tallian: This is a slap in the face to workers

On Wednesday, Statehouse Republicans rejected House Bill (HB) 1332, the final opportunity to increase workers’ compensation benefits this session. State Senator Karen Tallian (D-Ogden Dunes) had amended HB 1332 to include the first increase to workers’ comp benefits since 2013. However, infighting between insurance companies and medical providers over who would see the greater financial benefit ultimately led to the death of the bill and the workers’ comp proposal.

“This bill’s defeat is a slap in the face to Indiana workers,” Sen. Tallian said. “Senate Republicans threw working Hoosiers under the bus because of a sidebar fight between their friends in the insurance industry and their friends in the medical industry.”

The last time the General Assembly voted to authorize an increase in workers’ compensation was seven years ago. This last increase took place over a three year period, meaning workers’ compensation benefit levels remain unchanged since 2016.

“I’ve been working to increase workers’ comp benefits ever since the last increase ended, and I’ve been met with nothing but broken promises from Republicans,” Sen. Tallian said. “For two years in a row the Republicans have promised an increase to workers’ comp and each time they have failed to keep their word. I am beyond disappointed in my colleagues and their decision to put special interests before the working Hoosiers of our state and their families.”