Culver backs 'choice of doctor' bill

DES MOINES – Gov. Chet Culver applauded majority Democrats Wednesday for working with him to find common ground that he believes balances some thorny labor-management issues.

“I really think we're making a concerted effort to be pragmatic and practical in what ultimately gets to my desk,” Culver told reporters. “I think this session we've really done a good job of having a fair balance between business interests and labor and workers' interests.”

Culver said he supports legislation that would give employees the ability to choose their own doctors for treating work-related injuries. Compromise language also has been struck on a narrower scope of collective bargaining bill that removed objections that led him to veto a broader measure last year, he said.

The governor called the “choice of doctor” proposal a “very modest, practical step in the right direction” and he expected to contact key legislators to push for their support as that bill moves forward.

The bill's fate is uncertain in the House, where Democrats hold a 54-46 edge, because Republicans have vowed to oppose the measure. Minority Republicans joined with a handful of dissenting Democrats to keep a prevailing wage measure one vote short of passage earlier this session.

Sen. Tom Courtney, D-Burlington, chairman of the Senate Labor Committee, said he expected the collective bargaining bill would pass again this year given the governor's support, but he was unsure how choice of doctor, fair share and prevailing wage would fare in the House.

“That's obviously where the problem lies,” said Courtney. All four labor-backed bills likely would pass in the Senate, where Democrats hold a 32-18 majority, he said.