Governor Mary Fallin Releases Plan To Overhaul Workers Comp

Staff and Wire Reports

OKLAHOMA CITY -- Governor Fallin's released her plan to overhaul the state's workers' compensation program for the first time in 34 years.

The Senate Judiciary Committee on Tuesday voted 6-3 along party lines to approve the 215-page bill. Democrats on the committee opposed the measure.

The governor claims the plan would reduce costs to businesses while maintaining a fair playing field for both workers and employers.

"Oklahoma's workers' compensation system is one of the most expensive, least efficient systems of its kind in the nation," said Governor Fallin in a statement.

The bill would implement a standardized system of medical care that specifies how injuries are treated.

Democrats say they're concerned the bill favors businesses and isn't fair to workers injured on the job.

The legislation came from the governor's study group and authored by Sen. Anthony Sykes and Sen. Patrick Anderson.

02/21/2011 Related Story: Oklahomans Caught Scamming Workers Comp Program

The Associated Press contributed to this story.