At the Annual Issues Conference of the Workers’ Compensation Research Institute last week, Dr. Mark Holmes from the Sheps Center for Health Services Research at UNC delivered a sobering keynote on the growing threats to healthcare access in rural America. His presentation outlined how rural communities face systemic disadvantages in healthcare availability, accessibility, and financial…
Swedlow @ WCRI: Current Events in California Workers’ Compensation
At the recent Workers’ Compensation Research Institute (WCRI) Annual Conference in Phoenix, Alex Swedlow of the California Workers’ Compensation Institute (CWCI) presented key findings on the current state of California’s workers’ compensation system. His presentation highlighted significant improvements in efficiency and cost control while acknowledging persistent challenges in the nation’s largest workers’ compensation market. Claim…
WCRI Panel Explores Shifting Dynamics in Medical Workforce and Workers’ Compensation
At the Workers’ Compensation Research Institute (WCRI) Annual Conference in Phoenix yesterday, researchers presented findings on how changes in the medical workforce are impacting workers’ compensation systems across the United States. The presentation highlighted significant shifts in who provides care to injured workers and what these changes mean for claim outcomes. The panel began by…
WCRI Keynote – US Healthcare at a Crossroads: Incremental Change Ahead After Years of Transformation
Thursday, at the Workers’ Compensation Research Institute (WCRI) Annual Conference being held in Phoenix, AZ, Keynote speaker Lanhee Chen, Ph.D., from Stanford University offered a comprehensive analysis of the US healthcare system’s trajectory. His presentation, “The US Healthcare System in 2025, Where We’ve Been, Where We Are, and What’s to Come ” provided insights into…
WCRI Will Not Disappoint, With Healthcare Policy Experts to Headline 2025 Conference
The Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI) has announced a compelling lineup of speakers and panels for its 2025 Issues & Research Conference, scheduled for March 6-7 in Phoenix, Arizona. The conference will feature prominent healthcare policy experts addressing critical challenges facing the workers’ compensation industry. Many of us look forward to this annual event, as…
Mississippi Churning – The Save Our Sperm Act
This is a post that once again must come with a warning. It is not that I wish or desire to offend people. Instead, it seems that we must occasionally discuss topics that offend people. So please don’t blame me. Blame the topic. You’ve been warned. If you are easily offended, please stop reading. Now.…
Bob’s Top Ten Tips on Working Out and Gym Etiquette
I was at the gym the other day when one of my business partners phoned me. He asked if I had a couple of minutes to talk, and I told him that I could since I was just “on the treadmill” at the gym. He was delighted to hear that and delivered effusive praise for…
Will Alaska Legislators Jump the Shark on Workers’ Comp Death Benefits?
Most people at this point are familiar with the phrase “jumping the shark.” Those of us old enough to remember its origins know that it developed from an episode of the 1970’s show “Happy Days,” that consisted of the persistently cool Arthur “Fonzie” Fonzarelli jumping a shark on water skis. The stunt came late in…
Making AI Dumber
All of the fervor around artificial intelligence of late has been largely focused on how fast the technology is advancing. Indeed, as a personal consumer of significant AI services today, I can tell you that even in the last 12 months the advances have been incredible. However, an article came across my Cluttered Desk earlier…
Bob’s Top Ten Predictions for 2025
Well, the year 2025 has dawned upon us. I actually wanted a fancier way to say that, something more formal to ring in the new year. However, my feeble mind struggled with the task, so I asked one of my AI assistants to provide me with a cleverer way to phrase that opening line. It…