Capitol to Courthouse Florida Insurance Report: Friday, January 4

Jan 4, 2013

 

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

 

    2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.–Florida Division of Administrative Hearings Rule Development Workshop; Video teleconferencing available in various locations.  Proposed amendments to Rule 60Q-6.123, entitled “Procedural Rules for Adjudication of Workers’ Compensation Claims,” would strike unnecessary language intended for removal in an October 2012 revision of the Rule pursuant to s.440.45, F.S.  To view the Workshop notice, click here.

       

       

      Daily Florida Insurance-Related News

       

      State report:  Crashes down at intersections with cameras

      Crashes are down across Florida at intersections equipped with red-light cameras, according to a new state report.

       

      Florida recovered $50 million in Medicaid fraud

      Florida spent nearly $17 million fighting Medicaid fraud in a 12-month period ending June 30 and had a net recovery of $50 million.

       

      Prison system signs health care privatization deal

      The state prison system announced Thursday the signing of a $48 million contract to privatize health-care services for inmates in nine institutions across South Florida, affecting about 400 state job positions.

       

      Prescription drug strike force carries on despite lack of direct funding

      State law enforcement officials have pledged to continue the Statewide Drug Strike Force even though funding authority for the strike force ran out on Tuesday.

       

      Florida among states to watch on Obamacare

      As tough choices loom with the federal Affordable Care Act, Politico takes a look at how the Sunshine State, along with Idaho, Arizona, Arkansas and Maine, have dealt with preparations to implement the law.

       

      How Florida limits care for sick kids

      In a drab, cramped conference room in South Florida, a 45-year-old single mother is fighting with the state to secure in-home nursing care for her severely disabled daughter – while the 10-year-old fights for her life.

       

      South Florida’s newest congressional leaders are sworn into office

      Lois Frankel, the former mayor of sunny West Palm Beach, had to buy her first pair of winter boots in decades.

       

      Court ruling leads to another push to address referendums on growth approvals

      A circuit court judge’s ruling in a Palm Beach County case is fueling a push for legislation to address referendum challenges to local government land-use decisions.

       

      Blog:  Cops to step up enforcement of Move Over law

      The Florida Highway Patrol says that since 1999, more than 170 U.S. law enforcement officers died and thousands more were injured in crashes because they were struck by motorists who would not get out of officers’ way while they worked roadside situations.

       

      Florida Legislature’s OPPAGA finds sex offender registration is rising

      The number of sex offenders registering with police has risen four times faster than Florida’s population, but state and federal law enforcement agencies have dramatically cut the number who get away, says a new legislative study of rules imposed since the rape and murder of a little girl horrified the state in 2005.

       

      Florida Legislature’s top priorities in 2013

      The Florida Legislature has identified elections, ethics and higher education as top priorities in 2013, the Orlando Sentinel reports.

       

      Florida expected to grow at fastest pace in seven years

      Florida’s economy is expected to kick off the new year by growing at the fastest pace in seven years, according to a Federal Reserve index released Thursday.

       

      Wall Street Journal:  Coastal Residents Knock Insurers

      Homeowners in the coastal South are pushing back against insurers they say are charging too much for hurricane coverage, even as the damage from superstorm Sandy is costing the industry billions of dollars in the Northeast.

       

      U.S. House Sandy Aid Vote on Friday Is Only for National Flood Insurance Program Borrowing Authority Increase

      The House vote Friday on aid to Superstorm Sandy victims will only be for raising the cap on the National Flood Insurance Program’s borrowing authority.

       

      Ex-Nationwide Agent ‘s $43 Million Award Fuels Class Action

      The Ohio law firm that won $42.8 million award for a former Nationwide agent is preparing a class action against the insurer.

       

      Texas Surplus Lines Premium Exceeded $4 Billion in 2012

      Premium on policies reported to the Surplus Lines Stamping Office of Texas in 2012 totaled more than $4 billion, a record volume SLSOT reported.

       

      Oklahoma Insurance Department Mourns Loss of Horace Rhodes

      The Oklahoma Insurance Department is mourning the loss of former Deputy Insurance Commissioner Horace Rhodes.

       

      Click here to follow Colodny Fass& Webb on Twitter (@CFTLAWcom)

       


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