State Accident Insurance Fund

The State Accident Insurance Fund Corporation (SAIF) is a not-for-profit, state-chartered workers’ compensation insurance company in the U.S. state of Oregon. It provides workers' compensation insurance for Oregon employers. It is based in Salem, Oregon.

SAIF was created in 1914 by the Oregon Legislative Assembly as a state agency, and in 1980 became America's first public corporation specializing in workers' compensation insurance.

SAIF's practices have been the subject of some scrutiny and controversy in recent years.

SAIF does not pay state income tax, which gives it the ability to price its policies more aggressively than it otherwise might, and take large profits as well. Private competitor Liberty Northwest, a subsidiary of Liberty Mutual, is the state's second-largest provider of workers' compensation insurance; it has been openly critical of the laws regulating SAIF for some time.[1]

In 2004, voters rejected a ballot measure that would have abolished SAIF. The measure was defeated with 61% of the vote, but public debate over its management continued.[2]

In 2005, state senator Vicki Walker publicly questioned whether SAIF's cost savings was coming at the expense of denying legitimate claims.[3] SAIF was also investigated for failing to provide documents to the nonprofit Oregonians for Sound Economic Policy, specifically regarding a contract with former Governor Neil Goldschmidt.[4] The Senate considered, but did not pass, a bill that would have forced SAIF to disclose more of its records, in 2005.[5] SAIF was found to have been "sloppy," but not criminal, at the investigation's conclusion in 2006.[6] SAIF issued a report on its status to Governor Ted Kulongoski in early 2005.[7]

Over half a million people (35% of Oregon's workforce) are insured by SAIF.[8]

References

  1. ↑ Eure, Rob (May 24, 2000). "Insurers Seek Taxes on Firm Owned by State". The Wall Street Journal.
  2. ↑ Har, Janie (November 4, 2004). "ELECTION 2004: SAIF escapes measure, but not spotlight". The Oregonian.
  3. ↑ Duin, Steve (January 13, 2005). "Sing it again, SAIF: Denied, Denied, Denied". The Oregonian.
  4. ↑ Redden, Jim (December 23, 2003). "Goldschmidt feels SAIF heat". Portland Tribune.
  5. ↑ Walsh, Edward (June 14, 2005). "Senators sink bill on accessing SAIF files". The Oregonian.
  6. ↑ Walsh, Edward (June 9, 2006). "Officials clear SAIF of wrongdoing". The Oregonian.
  7. ↑ Walsh, Edward (February 16, 2005). "SAIF president gives report to governor". The Oregonian.
  8. ↑ Company information

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