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2008 House Bill 498 (Follow American Medical Association disability guidelines)

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  • Introduced by Rep. Mary Lou Marzian on February 8, 2008, to adopt the fifth edition of the American Medical Association (AMA) "Guides to the Evaluation of Permanent Impairment," rather than the current, sixth edition.
    • Referred to the House Licensing and Occupations Committee on February 11, 2008.
    • Reported in the House on February 14, 2008, favorably, 1st reading, to Calendar.
  • Passed in the House (67 to 26) on February 28, 2008, to adopt the fifth edition of the American Medical Association (AMA) "Guides to the Evaluation of Permanent Impairment" rather than the current, sixth edition. [Vote Details and Comments]
  • Received in the Senate on February 29, 2008.
    • Referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee on March 4, 2008.

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Comments

Introduced by Rep. Mary Lou Marzian on February 8, 2008. Passed in the House (67 to 26) on February 28, 2008. New Comment

1) 6th edition not good enough? [by Anonymous Citizen on February 13, 2008]
Right now the statute says use the 'latest' edition of the AMA Guidelines. The 5th is the current edition, but the 6th will be out soon. I guess Plaintiff lawyers won't make enough easy money under the more stringent guidelines expected in the 6th edition. But, just like that stupid ambulance bill that is getting kicked around, this is just another attempt for legislators to show they know more about practicing medicine than doctors. Stupid Bill.
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2) Reply to " Stupid Bill" [by Anonymous Citizen on February 15, 2008]
I am a lawyer. I do represent injured workers. I make a real effort to get at the truth. I have "fired" clients if I felt or found they were not telling me the truth, or if I knew they falsified testimony under oath. Believe it or not, there are people who get hurt on the job, report the injruy and are denied any benefits. Believe it or not, there are many injured workers who do not have the training or experience to be able to representr themselves in obtaining disabilty and medical benefits mandated by the Workers' Compensation Act. Believe it or not there are doctors who primarily, if not solely, limit their practices to nothing other than examine injured workers' to provide reports which are used by insurance companies to stop paying benefits even though the injured workers is unable to return to any employment. Belierve it or not there are injured workers who were highly productive before the work related injury but who, because their benefits were cut off before they have adequately recovered fromn the work injury, have had to go on food stampos because the benefits they receive, even under the Fifth Edition, are insufficient to provide for the minimal basic needs of their families. Believe it or not the Social Security Adminsitration finds the 5th Edition of the AMA Guides to Permenent Impariment a far more reliable and accurate guide than the Sixth Edition in determing functional impairment ratings. Until you have walked in the path of the injured worker who has lost his/her savings,lost his/her job, has lost his/her home and had to go on public support, you " Stupid Bill", wherever you are, do not have the understanding or heart to know wherewith you speak.

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3) pressure [by commerce helps everyone on February 25, 2008]
Every piece of legislation I've seen come from Ms. Marzian makes it harder to do business in the state of Kentucky. That is, unless your a trial attorney.
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