National – Government Shutdown Update: The federal government remains shut down and is now on its 24th day. Congressional negotiations are still stalled, primarily due to disagreements over health care subsidies and broader spending priorities. Federal agencies are continuing to scale back operations, with previously exempt employees now facing furloughs. Service disruptions are expanding, including delays in air travel. Although federal employees have historically received guaranteed back pay, recent guidance from the Office of Management and Budget indicates that Congress may now need to take action to ensure it.
A coalition of safety organizations called on President Donald Trump to appoint a Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) commissioner committed to maintaining the integrity of the agency’s data. In a letter dated October 14, the groups emphasized that BLS data, particularly safety-related statistics, are crucial for informed decision-making across the government and private sectors. They emphasized that credible data is crucial for informing policy decisions, guiding business strategies, and safeguarding workers.
Due to the federal government's shutdown, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) suspended informal conferences between employers and officials. While inspections for serious violations and emergencies continue with a reduced staff, most citation-related negotiations are paused.
National Council on Compensation Insurance (NCCI) released its latest report, 2025 In Sight, 2024 In Review. The report aims to provide updated financial results for the workers' compensation (WC) insurance line of business for 2024. Key findings include a 3.2% drop in net written premium to $41.6 billion in 2024, a combined ratio of 86.1%, and an operating gain of 23.7%. Claim frequency declined by 6%, while indemnity and medical claim severity rose by 5% and 6%, respectively.
Workers’ Compensation Research Institute (WCRI) published its 2025 CompScope™ Medical Benchmarks report, analyzing trends in medical payments, pricing, and utilization for injured workers. The study includes data from 2018 to 2023 across 18 states: Arkansas, California, Delaware, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia, and Wisconsin. According to the report, Pennsylvania experienced a 14% increase in medical costs per claim, while California, Delaware, and Wisconsin saw annual increases ranging from 5–7%.
A new analysis from RBC Capital Markets reveals a slowdown in FDA drug approvals during the third quarter of 2025. Approval rates fell to 73%, while rejections rose to 15% and review delays hit 11%. The slowdown is attributed to leadership turnover, staffing cuts, and the ongoing government shutdown. Despite recent gains in pharmaceutical indices, analysts warn that these disruptions may pose underappreciated risks to the sector’s momentum.
A recent Beazley survey featured in Risk & Insurance reveals that 83% of global executives view political and economic uncertainty as a major barrier to growth, up from 68% earlier in the year. Companies are responding by reassessing investment strategies, overseas operations, and inflation exposure. Notably, 94% of executives now trust insurance as a strategic risk management tool, with many exploring coverage that includes crisis response services.
The International Association of Industrial Accident Boards and Commissions (IAIABC) announced its 2025-26 board of directors. The board includes 13 jurisdictional leaders, the head of the associate member council, a NextGen representative, and the executive director. Phillip Germain, CEO of the Saskatchewan Workers’ Compensation Board, was sworn in as president. Other officers include President-elect Dr. Brian Wilson of the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation, Vice President Elizabeth O’Hara of New Mexico Workers’ Compensation Administration, and Secretary/Treasurer Brian Allen of Mitchell International.
Wisconsin – The Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development (DWD) Secretary Amy Pechacek announced the Division of Workers’ Compensation (WC) completed an upgrade to its online system that will be used to submit required work-related injury data. Key upgrades include document upload capability, real-time claim status updates, payment tracking, and integration with the MyWisconsin ID single sign-on system.
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