Rep. Sally Toone
On Wednesday, the House Commerce and Human Resources Committee refused to introduce legislation to allow employees suffering with work-related post-traumatic stress injury (PTSI) to seek workers’ compensation.
The legislation, sponsored by Rep. Sally Toone (D-Gooding), died on a 5-7 vote. It would have added a new section to the state Workers’ Compensation system to cover treatment for PTSI for employees who are currently not covered through the program. PTSI is recognized as a legitimate workplace injury for first responders, but not for other occupations unless there is an accompanying physical injury.
“People in certain occupations, such as coroners, bear witness to atrocities. The trauma they experience puts them at risk for PTSI, which makes it harder for them to stay on the job and care for their families. It is also linked to suicide and substance abuse,” Toone said. “We should expand access to services, so we can make sure people receive the support they need when they need it the most.”
Toone said the vote is especially disappointing when state officials have increasingly advocated to improve behavioral health systems, and even created the Idaho Behavioral Health Council, which includes members of all three branches of government, in the last year to examine the issue statewide and make recommendations to better Idahoans’ access to care.
Thirty-four states — including Alaska, Arizona, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Utah — allow workers in the Workers’ Compensation system to seek work-related PTSI coverage. Mental Health America reports adult Idahoans have a higher prevalence of mental illness and lower rates of access to care. As a whole, the state ranks 49th for mental health services.
“Idaho is falling behind when it comes to behavioral health,” Toone said. “Horrific events can occur in all fields, and when those incidents happen, we have to make sure employees receive proper care. Addressing PTSI is critical to keeping our workforce healthy, so that people are able to heal and go back to work in a safe manner.”