Capitol to Courthouse Florida Insurance Report: Monday, May 13
May 13, 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
1:00 p.m.–Florida Office of Insurance Regulation (“OIR”) Public Rate Hearing. American Security Insurance Company has requested an average statewide rate change of 0.0 percent for its property collateral protection program, which is also known as lender-placed insurance. The proposed rates would be effective August 1, 2013 for new and renewal business. The requested change is not uniform, and some areas are subject to higher rates. To view the hearing notice, click here.
Daily Florida Insurance-Related News
Homeowners Associations embrace Florida’s new fast-track foreclosure bill
Groups representing homeowner and condominium associations are some of the most ardent advocates for the fast-track foreclosure bill that passed the Legislature last month, and urging Gov. Rick Scott to sign the controversial legislation, writes Zac Anderson for the Sarasota Herald-Tribune.
Demotech, Inc. affirms Financial Stability Rating® for Florida Peninsula Insurance Company
Demotech has completed its review of the year-end 2012 and first quarter 2013 financial information prepared by Florida Peninsula Insurance Company. Based on these reviews in conjunction with review of the Company’s catastrophe reinsurance program for the upcoming storm season and other requirements consistent with the assignment of an FSR at the A level, Demotech affirms Florida Peninsula Insurance Company at A, Exceptional.
Risk Management Solutions CEO Hemant Shah outlines RMS(one) vision
The new Risk Management Solutions (RMS) platform that will allow insurers and reinsurers to manage all their risk models, exposures and analytics in one place is the result of the catastrophe risk modelling industry reaching an “inflection point” where it had to pursue a different business model, its founder and CEO Hemant Shah has told Reactions.
New Florida law extends appeal time for red-light tickets
Did you get a ticket from a red light camera you don’t think you deserve? How you appeal that will change, starting July 1, thanks to legislation sponsored by state Sen. Jeff Brandes, reports Will Hobson for the Tampa Bay Times.
Florida prepares for massive health insurance signup
Facing the next big health-care challenge in Florida, Uncle Sam plans to enlist hundreds of consumer “navigators” over the next several months to help enroll up to 3.5 million uninsured state residents by January, when everyone is required to have health insurance, the Sun-Sentinel’s William Gibson reports from Washington, D.C.
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Florida’s Current Child Health Care System Leaves Thousands of Poor in Limbo
- Florida Legislature’s failure to expand Medicare leaves health insurance gap for working poor
The Florida Current’s 2013 Session Summary: Health Care
The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act is more than 3 years old but formulating a response to it was the No. 1 health issue facing the Florida Legislature in 2013, The Florida Current explains.
Florida Agency for Health Care Administration Secretary Liz Dudek Explains What Her Agency Does
Many Floridians are familiar with the Agency for Health Care Administration as the entity that runs the Florida Medicaid program, writes Florida Agency for Health Care Administration Secretary Liz Dudek in this column she penned for the Sun-Sentinel. AHCA also has oversight of more than 45,000 health care facilities and providers, from acute care centers like hospitals and nursing homes to companies that bring care to Floridians like home health agencies or portable x-ray providers.
WLRN’s “Sunshine Economy” Series Delves into Florida’s Health Care Issues
Through a series of one-hour radio programs, WLRN’s special correspondent Tom Hudson that he will host a weekly series on Mondays in May and June exploring The Sunshine Economy, a fresh take on the key industries driving growth across South Florida.
Florida Insurance Executive Throws One of Worst First Pitches–Ever
Believe it or not, John Bledsoe works in the insurance business. But when the Florida resident tossed out the ceremonial first pitch prior to Tuesday’s college baseball game between Florida State and Stetson, he probably didn’t think he’d need coverage for what was about to transpire. There’s a long list of “worst first pitches ever” — but Bledsoe’s may now top it, writes Blair Johnson for Yahoo! Sports.
Florida to auction part of $1 billion in unclaimed property
This summer, the state will hold two auctions – in Tampa in June and Fort Lauderdale in August – to sell off part of the $1 billion in unclaimed property that it has collected from across Florida, reports Kathleen Haughney for the Sun-Sentinel.
The Florida Current’s 2013 Session Summary: Budget & Taxes
More money, less problems was the theme of the 2013 legislative session. Aided by the first projected surplus in three years, lawmakers presided over a relatively smooth session, The Florida Current explains.
Florida Welcomes Natural Gas Industry
Florida’s state lawmakers love natural gas, writes William Patrick of FloridaWatchdog.org. The alternative fuel emits less pollution while costing less than gasoline, making potential environmental and economic benefits too much to ignore.
Gambling Arcade Owner Brandon Michael Cannon Files to Challenge Florida Senator Joe Negron
Brandon Michael Cannon, 26, owner of a now-shuttered Port St. Lucie senior arcade, has filed to run against state Sen. Joe Negron of Palm City in the 2014 Republican primary, SunshineStateNews.com‘s Nancy Smith reports.
Governor’s campaign operation is ready and waiting
It’s way too early to count out Rick Scott for a second term, writes Tampa Bay Times Political Editor Adam C. Smith. His poll numbers are stubbornly bleak – only one in three voters say he deserves a second term – and despite plenty of coaching, he still displays the natural charm and warmth of an automaton.
Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam Enacts Workers’ Compensation Bill
Tennessee’s workers’ compensation system is going to undergo its most significant changes in decades including the creation of a new administrative court system to handle workers’ compensation claims, reports Michael Adams for Insurance Journal.
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