Group Divided On Okla. Worker's Comp Privatization

Task Force Divided On How To Privatize Oklahoma's Workers Compensation Insurer

(AP)  OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - A task force is recommending that Oklahoma's workers compensation agency be privatized, but task force members are divided on how to do it.

The Task Force on the Privatization of CompSource Oklahoma met Thursday. Some task force members recommended that it be mutualized, meaning it would be owned by its members. Others believe it should be sold outright.

Officials say a proposal to sell CompSource would likely provoke a legal battle over whether it is owned by the state or policyholders.

The Oklahoma Legislature created CompSource in 1933. It issues policies to high-risk employers that private insurers will not accept because the chance of paying claims is too high.

State law requires employers to have insurance to compensate injured workers. But some lawmakers believe CompSource should not compete with private insurers.