WORKERS COMP: CANDIDATE FOR SENATE PRAISES SMALLER INCREASE IN STATE RACE

The Missouri Department of Insurance Monday approved a workers' compensation rate increase of 12.5 percent, a much smaller increase than requested earlier by the insurance industry.

That smaller increase was praised by Peter Kinder, candidate for Southeast Missouri's 27th State Senate District. On July 27, Kinder filed a formal protest with the Missouri Department of Insurance when the National Council on Compensation Insurance (NCCI) requested a rate increase of 23.8 percent.

He charged that NCCI could only justify a 4.7 percent increase. He based his conclusions on a detailed analysis provided by Kenneth L. Robinson, former director of government, consumer and industry affairs for NCCI.

Kinder said Tuesday he was pleased with the Missouri Department of Insurance's ruling. He said the lower rate will save Missouri businesses nearly $80 in insurance premiums.

"This is clearly a major victory for Missouri businesses and Missouri workers," Kinder said. "I fought hard for Missouri jobs on this issue, because I believe in Missouri businesses and the jobs that they provide.

"This rate increase was fundamentally unfair, and we're pleased that business owners and employees alike were relieved of an unjustified cost burden."

Kinder said that although he urged an even lower increase, he was satisfied with the compromise.

"No one likes to see an increase in insurance rates," he said. "But this is clearly a compromise we can live with. By acting as we did, we've saved Missouri businesses roughly $79.3 million this year alone."

Kinder said he will continue to campaign on behalf of reform in worker's compensation.

"To safeguard Missouri jobs, we must have comprehensive reform in workers' compensation," he said. "I look forward to serving in the senate next year, when workers' (compensation) reform will be among my highest priorities."