Business groups are howling over a move to undo a key portion of reforms in the state's workers' compensation system pushed through by ex-Gov. Pat Quinn, reforms that have begun to make Illinois' rates somewhat more competitive with those in other states.

The Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission is scheduled to vote Dec. 20 on a motion to increase by 30 percent the amount physicians are able to charge for patient evaluation and management, including preliminary diagnosis and post-surgical care.

The change is being recommended by the state's Medical Fee Advisory Board. A member of that panel, Champaign Dr. David Fletcher, said a majority of its members agree that rates now are so low that some patients have difficulty finding a doctor to treat them, and the shift will raise overall rates just 5 percent. "It's a very small piece of the pie," he said.

But business groups say the cost could be more than that, especially if the hike sets a pattern for larger items in the fee schedule, such as surgical fees.

"It seems like they want a nice early Christmas gift for the doctors and hospitals, with business getting a bag of coal," Illinois Manufacturers' Association Vice President and COO Mark Denzler said. In a letter to commission members (which you can read below), he argued, "There is no testimony or data noting that a 30 percent increase is warranted."

The work comp war has been a recurrent feature in larger political battles in the state in recent years, with Gov. Bruce Rauner saying more change is needed but Democratic leaders, including Speaker Mike Madigan, arguing that the GOP governor wanted too much and that other changes, such as tighter regulation of insurance companies, are what's needed.

Overall costs in the state now rank Illinois between sixth and eighth highest in the nation, depending on the measure used. With a legislative stalemate in place, both sides have begun making separate moves. The decision is up to the WCC, all of whose nine members have been appointed or reappointed by Rauner.