Last year, US congress passed the Biggert-Waters Act, calling on the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and other agencies to make a number of changes to the way the current National Flood Insurance Plan operates. The act, which is commonly known as the Flood Insurance Reform Act, obliges insurance providers to amend rates to reflect true flood risk, thus making the program more financially stable.

Most large organizations provide health and safety training, but first aid and CPR is often overlooked. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) states: “In the absence of an infirmary, clinic, or hospital in near proximity to the workplace which is used for the treatment of all injured employees, a person or persons shall be adequately trained to render first aid. Adequate first aid supplies shall be readily available.” This applies to any industry of any size: construction or general, large or small.

Workers’ Compensation Reform achieved a huge victory earlier this summer with the signing into law of HB 1320, an act that the American Insurance Association feels ‘addresses problems which have been steadily mounting in Indiana for years.’

Indiana Governor Mike Pence penned the legislation which, effective of July 1, ensures a fee schedule with a maximum reimbursement rate of 200% of the Medicare rate for treatments and procedures to workers’ compensation claimants by medical service providers. While those are the provisions of the new legislation in a nutshell, there are plenty of other considerations Businesses need to be aware of, particularly considering the imminent arrival of Health Care Reform.

What Exactly Is Workers Compensation?

Many companies realize their most important asset is their brand. A brand influences the perceptions of clients, potential clients, partners, staff, the media and, of course, the general public. So managing and maintaining that image can be considered one of the most important elements of a business process.

Around 3.3 million people are injured at work each year in America. In many cases they spend days, weeks, or even months out of work as a result of those injuries. Some never return to work. Because of this, it’s critical to develop a culture that believes all accidents are predictable, preventable, and unacceptable.

Where Do We Start?

The IOM (Institute of Medicine) defines patient centered care as: "Providing care that is respectful of and responsive to individual patient preferences, needs and values, and ensuring that patient values guide all clinical decisions."