Republicans tout their workers' compensation plan

HELENA, Mont. (AP) — Republicans running the Legislature say their proposal for fixing the state's expensive workers' compensation insurance system will decrease rates up to 44 percent.

The GOP touted their legislative fix Monday amid concern from both parties over the cost of the insurance in Montana.

The new GOP proposal will be competing with a compromise bill that was four years in the making. That bill aims to reduce costs in several ways, but has run into opposition from doctors and insurance companies who say it reduces their payments too much.

But labor groups say the Republican proposal cuts employee benefits in order to give doctors and insurance companies more.

Both sides say the argument over fixing the system is likely to last all session.

HELENA — Republicans running the Legislature say their proposal for fixing the state's expensive workers' compensation insurance system will decrease rates up to 44 percent.

The GOP touted their legislative fix Monday amid concern from both parties over the cost of the insurance in Montana.

The new GOP proposal will be competing with a compromise bill that was four years in the making. That bill aims to reduce costs in several ways, but has run into opposition from doctors and insurance companies who say it reduces their payments too much.

But labor groups say the Republican proposal cuts employee benefits in order to give doctors and insurance companies more.

Both sides say the argument over fixing the system is likely to last all session.