Capitol to Courthouse Daily Florida Insurance Report: Monday, February 21
Feb 21, 2011
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- Daily Florida Insurance-Related Events
- Daily Florida Insurance-Related Bills Filed for 2011
- Daily Insurance-Related News
Daily Florida Insurance-Related Events
There are no insurance-related events scheduled for today.
Daily Florida Insurance-Related Bills Filed for 2011
SB 1226 Relating to Health Care Fraud by Senator Arthenia Joyner
SB 1226 would revise the grounds under which the Florida Department of Health (“DOH”) or corresponding board is required to refuse to admit a candidate to an examination and refuse to issue or renew a license, certificate or registration of a health care practitioner. The bill also would provides an exception, as well as require the DOH to adopt rules. Effective date: July 1, 2011
FIRM goes to bat for Keys again
A contingent of Florida Keys property Insurance watchdogs will travel to Tallahassee on Tuesday to lobby the Legislature to reject a bill that would remove oversight from the Office of Insurance.
Tampa condo group sues insurer for repairs
It’s not quite Keith Richards’ fingers or “Ugly Betty’s” smile, but a Hyde Park condominium association has set its legal sights on Lloyd’s of London.
Sarasota’s Dolphin Tower condo owners pressure insurer to pay for repairs
The claim from owners of the 117-unit condo to Great American Insurance Co. could stretch to $10 million to fix weaker-than-expected concrete, though repair estimates have yet to be formulated.
Insurance Federation of Florida regarding sinkhole insurance is very interesting, especially considering the federation was formed Jan. 25, not by concerned homeowners but by three of Florida’s largest insurance companies – Allstate, Progressive and State Farm.
Opinion: State policy toward insuring aluminum wiring needs to be rewired
I have been working for the last seven months on the issue of insurance companies in the state of Florida not allowing homes with aluminum wiring to be insured.
Florida Homeowners Settle Bombing Range Lawsuit for $1.2 Million
Homeowners in a southeast Orlando subdivision have settled a class-action lawsuit against a homebuilder for $1.2 million.
Design work to begin on new Sarasota emergency operations center
Design work on a new emergency operations center could soon be underway.
Vietnam vet fights Florida wildfires with Black Hawk helicopter
Gravity seems meaningless when Chuck Brainerd eases his helicopter upward into a brief hover and then accelerates in a banking climb.
Red light cameras plagued by problems across South Florida
Red light cameras have become a legal nightmare for cities across South Florida.
National Association of Health Underwriters Awards Florida Insurance Commissioner a Top Honor
The National Association of Health Underwriters recently presented Florida Insurance Commissioner Kevin McCarty with the Spirit of Independence Award for his work in preserving the role of the health insurance agent.
Scott cancels $18 million contract with health care agency
This is the first contract the governor’s office has denied since he suspended all contracts worth more than $1 million.
Lobbying group picks up costs of Florida’s health-care legal challenge
Florida has paid less than $6,000 for its landmark challenge to President Obama’s health care law largely because a business lobbying group is picking up an undisclosed share of the remaining legal costs.
Editorial: Report card ranks Florida near the bottom in access to health care for children
A recently released report ranks Florida among the worst states in the nation in health services for children.
Stuart senator’s Medicaid bill sets up regional managed-care plans
Most of the Treasure Coast’s 67,000-plus Medicaid patients would have to choose from about three managed-care plans awarded to the lowest-bidding networks by December 2012, according to a bill proposed by state Sen. Joe Negron, R-Stuart, that proposes sweeping changes to the government’s low-income health program.
Thrasher’s bill would limit awards under medical malpractice lawsuits
A bill filed by state Sen. John Thrasher, R-St. Augustine, would save the University of Florida’s Shands teaching hospitals in Jacksonville and Gainesville millions each year by capping the amount an injured patient could win in a medical malpractice lawsuit.
Florida Governor Scott gives high-speed rail backers some hope
High-speed rail backers got a sliver of hope from Florida Gov. Rick Scott on Sunday after he said he would be willing to look at a plan that alleviates financial risk to the state.
Early voting begins Monday for Florida Senate race
Monday marks the beginning of the end in the race to determine U.S. Reresentative Frederica Wilson’s successor in the Florida Senate.
Florida threatens to shred 2012 calendar
A deepening standoff between national Republicans and top party leaders in Florida has the potential to blow up the 2012 presidential primary calendar – and do lasting damage to the GOP in the nation’s largest swing state.
Police and fire unions blast lawmakers’ efforts to overhaul pensions
Police and fire union representatives filled a Senate workshop Friday to criticize a pair of bills dramatically overhauling public pensions in Florida, a key cost-saving plan pushed by Governor Rick Scott and top lawmakers, reports John Kennedy of the News Service of Florida.
Florida legislator says law’s repeal would lower gas prices
A state legislator wants to lower gasoline prices in Florida, but a trade group says it will cost jobs and close gas stations.
State Representative Richard Corcoran’s uses clout to lock up House speaker promotion
Richard Corcoran likes to say he grew up in the state House of Representatives.
Scott looks to Texas, but both states have problems
If Florida Governor Rick Scott has an idol, it’s probably Texas Governor Rick Perry.
Redistricting process more complicated than just moving boundaries
Even as some lawmakers begin to start work on the once-a-decade chore of redrawing the state’s political boundaries, the politically contentious redistricting process is surrounded by more questions than usual.
Florida gets a few more jobs, but their salaries are lower
Everybody knows Florida isn’t creating enough jobs to dent its double-digit unemployment. But there’s something you might not know that’s even more distressing: The few jobs that have been created pay far less than the ones we’ve lost.
New Orleans storm risk stats called skewed
New Orleans Redevelopment Authority hopes study will sway insurers
Homes are better built and hurricane wind risk in New Orleans is lower than what many insurers typically assume, so policyholders may be paying more than they need to for homeowner’s insurance, a new study commissioned by the New Orleans Redevelopment Authority reveals.
Texas Judge, a State Farm Customer, Withdraws from Overcharges Case
A Texas judge who’s a State Farm Insurance customer has withdrawn from hearing the company’s fight against paying $350 million in alleged overcharges.
New York Court: Insurers can see Corning’s asbestos trust communications
A New York state court held this week that Corning Inc.’s insurers have the right to see communications between Corning and representative of claimants in an asbestos liability case.
Nationwide Insurance adds jobs in North Carolina
Nationwide is adding workers in North Carolina.
New Jersey Poised For Captive Activity Following Legislation
The New Jersey captive law, slated to be signed any day by Governor Chris Christie, could create jobs in the state without the burden of creating a whole new infrastructure, according to captive experts.
Private-mortgage-insurance companies may benefit from government changes
PMI Group, the third-biggest U.S. mortgage insurer, said the Obama administration’s efforts to limit government-backed competitors would help the private sector take a “dominant” role in the U.S. housing market.
New York Times: Placing Blame in the Collapse of a Historic Building
Last November the historic Maples Inn collapsed in a heap on the Oenoke Ridge site where it had stood for more than 100 years.
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