Workers hurt or sickened at work could choose doctors

Workers with job injuries could choose the doctor their employer provides. This covers workers receiving care for a job injury, including injuries that happened before July 1, 2026. The employer would provide the doctor at no cost during initial treatment. If the employer chooses to continue providing a doctor or surgeon after a decision on lasting partial harm, the worker could choose that doctor during the review period. A care agreement approved by the worker's compensation board may set the doctors instead. The bill sets July 1, 2026, as the start date if it becomes law. Later care would follow a decision on lasting partial harm and fall within the time allowed to review it.

Workers disabled by a work-related disease could choose the doctor their employer provides. This covers workers disabled by a work-related disease, including diseases that began before July 1, 2026. The employer would provide the doctor at no cost during the period of disability. If the employer chooses to continue providing a doctor or surgeon after a decision on lasting partial harm, the worker could choose that doctor during the review period. A care agreement approved by the worker's compensation board may set the doctors instead. The bill sets July 1, 2026, as the start date if it becomes law. Later care would follow a decision on lasting partial harm and fall within the time allowed to review it.