DENVER-
A worker with a broken back was ordered to go back to work for two years, despite her severe injuries, by a doctor chosen by her employer and she became permanently disabled. Another worker was injured on the job and had a foot amputated after being ordered to go back to work.
Rep. Morgan Carroll, D-Aurora, said these are just some of the horror tales from people who were not allowed to choose their own doctors when they suffered job injuries.
“The free market allows us to choose who fixes our cars, to choose who fixes our homes, and to choose where we buy our groceries, but Colorado’s Workers Comp system does not allow workers any choice in who fixes their bodies after they’re hurt on the job,” Carroll said.
Carroll introduced a bill that would allow companies to designate two doctors and allow an injured worker to choose which doctor they want to see. It also would allow a worker to change doctors if the worker wants a second opinion within the first 90 days.
The bill (House Bill 1176) is scheduled to be heard Monday in the House Business Affairs & Labor Committee.
Last year a bill she sponsored that would have allowed workers to choose a doctor failed.
Vivian Stovall, who injured her back and ended up in a wheelchair, said she believes she would still be able to walk if she could have chosen another doctor.
“The doctor told him his job was to get me back to work. He gave me some pain medication,” she said on Friday.
Carroll said 32 states allow workers to pick their own doctors and the rest allow workers to choose from a list.
Carroll said it’s ironic that lawmakers approved a measure (House Bill 1296) that allows people to choose whomever they want to treat their animals, as long as they don’t call themselves a veterinarian if they are not licensed.
“Even with health care you can choose your doctor, but not if you’re a worker,” she said.
Other bills coming up this week:
— The House Health & Human Services Committee will take up a measure (Senate Bill 23) on Monday that would prohibit people under age 18 from tanning parlors without the consent of a parent or guardian. Lawmakers said children are being exposed to higher risk of cancer. Doctors said skin cancer rates are up 40 percent in Colorado. They said exposure from a tanning bed could last a lifetime.
— The Senate Agriculture, Natural Resources & Energy Committee on Wednesday will debate a proposal (House Bill 1180) that would require the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission to ensure the accuracy of oil and gas production reporting after a state audit criticized the lack of inspections of oil and gas well monitors. Rep. Al White, R-Winter Park, said royalty owners questioned figures on oil and gas production when the amounts for which they were paid didn’t match the amounts that were sold by oil and gas producers. Stan Dempsey of the Colorado Petroleum Association said the Oil and Gas Conservation Commission already has the ability to issue those rules. He said the amounts differed because of the way production is measured and that oil and gas companies are already complying with state law.
