Capitol to Courthouse Florida Insurance Report: Friday, December 21
Dec 21, 2012
To go directly to the section of your choice, click on a hyperlink below. Other hyperlinks to meeting information, bills and news are noted in bold type.
Daily Florida Insurance-Related Events
There are no Florida insurance-related events scheduled for today.
Governor Scott appeals FEMA denial of Sandy help
Gov. Rick Scott is appealing a federal decision to leave out Florida’s claims for disaster-relief money to pay for damage done by Hurricane Sandy in late October.
Editorial: Citizens insurance adjusts
Suspending loan program for at-risk insurers made sense
Florida officials and the Legislature have tried several different ways to push policy holders out of the state-run Citizens Property Insurance.
Given the option, all 19 counties vote not to inspect septic tanks
All 19 counties that were required to take action on septic tank inspections under a bill passed by the Legislature last spring have voted to opt out of the requirement, according to the Florida Department of Health.
Seniors cautioned on insurance solicitation
Seniors vs Crime, a special project of the Florida Attorney General, is warning seniors of a waterline insurance direct solicitation letter.
Man arrested for “fake stealing” own car
One day in October, a distraught victim reported the theft of his treasured 1932 Ford Coupe from his garage.
Florida justices limit private doctor-lawyer talks
Malpractice defendants must not try to circumvent a Florida law that bars them from obtaining confidential medical information about plaintiffs from other doctors or dentists who are treating them, the state Supreme Court said in a ruling Thursday.
Florida Health Insurance Advisory Board Adopts Annual Report & Appoints Executive Director
The Florida Health Insurance Advisory Board (FHIAB) met via conference call on Friday, December 14th to discuss passage of the Board’s annual report and the appointment of a permanent Executive Director.
Florida agency says health care to cost billions more
The administration of Gov. Rick Scott is now contending that the federal health care overhaul will cost state taxpayers billions more than estimates from just a few months ago.
Senator Ring files autism bill for the 5th time
SB 128 would allow parents to take child to a specialist without a referral or authorization from insurance company.
Patrick Murphy wins seat on U.S. House Financial Services committee as he prepares to enter Congress
Two weeks from his first day on the job, Congressman-elect Patrick Murphy has clinched his top committee choice and set up plans with U.S. Rep. Tom Rooney to craft a bipartisan bill.
Imminent port strike would hit 4 Florida ports
Ports in Jacksonville, Tampa, Fort Lauderdale and Miami will shut down on Dec. 30 if a deal isn’t struck between dockworkers and shipping companies.
Gun sales booming in Florida after Sandy Hook shooting
Gun sales in Florida have surged since last week’s mass shooting at a Connecticut elementary school that killed 20 children and six adults.
State ranks third in population growth
Florida ranks third in the nation for population growth. New estimates released by the U.S. Census Thursday shows Florida grew by 235,000 residents. Florida trailed only Texas and California in sheer numeric growth.
Florida Supreme Court seeking 63 more judgeships
Florida’s crime rate may be falling, but the state Supreme Court on Thursday said 63 more trial court judges still are needed, due largely to high workloads from budget cuts and a glut of mortgage foreclosure cases.
U.S. House Passes Industry-Supported Medicare Secondary Payment Bill
The House Wednesday passed legislation sought by the insurance industry in three Congresses that would streamline enforcement of the Medicare Secondary Payment program.
FEMA: Over 507,950 Individuals Registered for Assistance Post-Sandy
More than 507,950 individuals have registered for the Federal Emergency Management Agency assistance in wake of Superstorm Sandy, as of Dec. 17. FEMA also said this week that $1.09 billion in disaster aid has been approved so far.
New York Governor Vetoes Supplemental Uninsured/Underinsured Motorists Bill
New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo this week has vetoed a bill concerning the Supplemental Uninsured/Underinsured Motorists (“SUM”) coverage.
Louisiana Insurance Department Launches New Online Rate Comparisons
Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says his department’s new online system will make it easier for Louisiana residents to shop for the best insurance rates in their cities.
2012 another record–setter, fits climate forecasts
As 2012 began, winter in the U.S. went AWOL. Spring and summer arrived early with wildfires, blistering heat and drought. And fall hit the eastern third of the country with the ferocity of Superstorm Sandy.
Louisiana may have found the muscle it’s been looking for to force the Army Corps of Engineers to make better use of the Mississippi River to deliver scarce sediment to the state’s coastline for rebuilding wetlands, a Tulane law professor said Thursday.
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