State of the States August 8, 2025

National – Opus Medical launched a concierge-level model for managing work-related injuries, aiming to enhance recovery outcomes through personalized, physician-led care. 

In a CNBC interview Tuesday morning, President Trump announced that his administration will unveil new tariffs on semiconductors and pharmaceuticals “within the next week or so.” The move is part of a broader push to bring manufacturing back to the U.S., with Trump stating, “We want them made in the United States.” While details on semiconductor tariffs remain forthcoming, he noted that pharmaceutical import taxes could phase in gradually and potentially reach as high as 250%. To learn more, check out the Wall Street Journal article. 

American Medical Association (AMA) analysis revealed a lack of competition and extensive vertical integration in the pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) market. Based on 2022–2023 data, the report shows that four PBMs: OptumRx, CVS Caremark, Express Scripts, and Prime Therapeutics controlled 67% of the national market. Additionally, 77% of commercial and Medicare Part D enrollees were in plans where the insurer and PBM were vertically integrated.  

Rising Medical Solutions released its 12th Annual Workers’ Compensation Benchmarking Study, revealing persistent challenges in claims management. Based on input from over 1,300 frontline claims professionals, the report highlights widespread issues with talent shortages and operational efficiency. Notably, 60% of claims organizations reported struggling with staffing adequacy, while high-performing entities stood out for their strategic use of technology and data-driven practices. 

Liberty Mutual Workplace Insurance released the Workplace Safety Index earlier this week. The report found that workplace accidents cost U.S. employers approximately $58.8 billion annually. The top 10 causes of injuries account for 86% of these costs, highlighting the ongoing importance of workers' compensation systems in managing injury-related expenses. 

The National Council on Compensation Insurance (NCCI) released its Labor Market Insights report. The report provides a monthly overview of labor market statistics and the potential impact on workers’ compensation. According to the data, over the past three months, the labor market has been significantly weaker than previously indicated. To read the full report, click here. 

Illinois – Governor J.B. Pritzker appointed Matthew Coleman to the Workers’ Compensation Medical Fee Advisory Board. Coleman is a partner at Coleman Lynch & Partners LLC and is affiliated with the American Association for Justice, the Illinois State Trial Association, and the Workers’ Compensation Lawyers Association. He holds a Bachelor of Arts from Xavier University and a Juris Doctor from the University of Illinois Chicago School of Law.

Pennsylvania – Earlier this week, Democratic State Representative David Delloso introduced HB 1766. The bill aims to require Pennsylvania employers to reimburse injured workers up to $250 per month for medical cannabis expenses. To qualify, workers must be registered with the Pennsylvania Medical Marijuana Program. The legislation also mandates that insurers establish systems to process reimbursements at least quarterly and covers costs associated with obtaining and renewing medical cannabis ID cards.

Virginia – The Virginia Workers’ Compensation Commission (VWC) released its 2024 Annual Report, which provides a comprehensive overview of the Commission’s work over the past year. Key initiatives included expanding language access, enhancing stakeholder communication, and increasing public awareness of workers’ rights.  

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