Home » Newsroom » Important Updates » Florida Chamber Fighting the Rising Costs of Workers’ Compensation

Florida Chamber Fighting the Rising Costs of Workers’ Compensation

February 15, 2012 | Print Print

Workers’ compensation rates are scheduled to increase an average of 8.9% in 2012. As Florida’s economy continues its soft recovery, the Florida Chamber of Commerce is fighting to minimize the costs on employers. Unfortunately, some are working to raise workers’ comp rates.

Early this morning, we had a conference call with Senator Alan Hays – the Senate bill sponsor for SB 668 – a Florida Chamber-backed bill that will lower workers’ comp rates on Florida’s businesses.

On the call, Senator Hays thanked both the Florida Chamber for its support of this important issue, and acknowledged that the support of the Florida Medical Association has also been very welcomed. Now, more than ever before, Senator Hays needs our help help that will lower rates by 2.5% and save Florida’s business community $62 million.

Here’s how you can help:

  1. Call your Senator and ask him or her to sign-on as a co-sponsor to Senator Hays workers compensation bill SB 668.
  2. Contact members of the Senate Health Regulation Committee and urge them to support lowering workers compensation rates by voting YES on SB 668.
  3. Contact Senate President Mike Haridopolos, Speaker of the House Dean Cannon and Governor Rick Scott and encourage them to support closing the drug repackaging loophole that will directly reduce workers compensation rates by 2.5% – a $62 million savings for Florida’s business community.

For your convenience, click here for a sample letter sent to the Senators on the Health Regulation Committee outlining the importance of this issue and explaining that the Florida Chamber votes on this bill will be scored twice on the Florida Chambers annual report card. Also below are the members of the Senate Health Regulation Committee and their contact information.

  • Rene Garcia (R-40), 305-364-3100 or 850-487-5106, Garcia.rene.web@flsenate.gov
  • Miguel Diaz de la Portilla (R-36), 305-643-7200 or 850-487-5109, Portilla.miguel.web@flsenate.gov
  • Mike Fasano (R-11), 727-848-5885 or 850-487-5062, Fasano.mike.web@flsenate.gov
  • Don Gaetz (R-4), 850-897-5747 or 850-487-5009, Gaetz.don.web@flsenate.gov
  • Dennis Jones (R-13), 727-549-6411 or 850-487-5065, Jones.dennis.web@flsenate.gov
  • Eleanor Sobel (D-31,) 954-924-3693 or 850-487-5097, Sobel.eleanor.web@flsenate.gov

Thank you for taking action to help us lower workers compensation rates for Florida’s employers.

Be part of the solution. Learn how you can help secure Florida's future.