The Missouri Senate spent more than two hours debating legislation Monday that would keep the state’s ailing Second Injury Fund alive.
The proposal being considered would raise fees that businesses across the state currently pay into the fund while placing restrictions on future claims. State Senator Maria Chappelle-Nadal (D, University City) said in floor debate that raising the cap on businesses was a good move, but expressed concern that people with pre-existing conditions would be left out.
“People who have polio, (and) people who have been in car accidents," Chappelle-Nadal said. "A good example is someone who has served in the military, in active duty, and has decided to come home...and then gets in a car accident – that person is not covered any longer, as this bill is written.”
The Second Injury Fund provides compensation to people with disabilities who then fall victim to a workplace injury or illness. Senate debate is scheduled to resume today (Tuesday), and Republican leaders say they hope to gain first-round approval sometime this week.
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