Capitol to Courthouse Florida Insurance Report: Monday, September 26
Sep 26, 2011
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Daily Florida Insurance-Related Events
There are no insurance-related events scheduled for today.
Citizens Property Insurance Goes Along with Florida Sinkhole Rate Decision
Florida officials and the state’s-backed property insurer were working to find common ground in the aftermath of the political firestorm over the insurer’s proposed large hike sinkhole coverage rates, with the insurer indicating it will implement the approved rates that fall far short of what it says it needs.
Florida Personal Injury Protection Cost Battle May Extend to Physician Referral Services
Florida lawmakers are likely to consider whether to curb the use of accident clinic referral hotlines as part of a broader effort to reign in the costs of personal injury protection auto insurance.
Joan Collier’s Florida Insurance People, Places, & Products-September 2011 Round-Up
William H. Stander, formerly state government relations assistant vice president for the Property Casualty Insurers Association of America, has formed a Tallahassee-based advocacy firm, WHISPER – William H. Stander Public Relations, Inc.
USI Insurance Acquires Florida’s de la Parte Agency
Insurance broker USI Insurance Services has acquired de la Parte & Associates, a Tampa, Florida, employee benefits and insurance consulting firm.
Court lifts stay on state worker HMO contracts
The ruling ends the multimillion dollar scrap and puts plans for state worker health coverage back on track.
Florida UnitedHealthcare Signs HMO Contract
Florida is moving forward with a plan that will lead to health-Insurance changes for thousands of state employees, after an appeals court broke a legal logjam this week.
State Medicaid directors want feds to relax rules
State Medicaid directors from across the country are asking a group of federal lawmakers to consider allowing more flexibility in state Medicaid plans in order to cut costs.
Judge sides with Shands Jacksonville, other hospitals against 3 new trauma hospitals
A judge Friday sided with hospitals in Jacksonville and the Tampa Bay area in their fight to prevent the Department of Health from approving three new trauma centers.
Florida joins Nebraska, 5 other states in challenging federal air pollution rule
Florida has joined Nebraska and five other states in challenging a federal rule designed to protect states from pollution caused in other states, Attorney General Pam Bondi said Friday.
Cut of key monitoring program imperils Everglades restoration, experts warn
The agencies in charge of restoring the Everglades are set to gut a science program critical to determining whether work they’re doing is helping or hurting plants and animals that live there – from algae that anchors the bottom of the food chain to alligators that feast at its top.
Orlando father asking federal judge today to block drug testing for Florida welfare applicants
A 35-year-old Orlando father is expected to be in federal court this morning, challenging a new state law that requires welfare applicants to undergo drug testing.
North Florida project to install high-speed Internet has federal funds frozen
A project to bring high-speed broadband Internet services to rural North Florida, funded with stimulus dollars, seems to have stalled.
Column: Lawmakers May Roll Dice on Casinos
Florida Senate President Mike Haridopolos said he expects the Senate to vote on bringing “destination resort” casinos to the state, saying if it passes it could produce some $1 billion in revenue.
Blog: Senate Minority Leader Rich and Majority Leader Gardiner make up, sort of
Senate Minority Leader Nan Rich used Thursday’s first Senate Redistricting Committee hearing to clear the air about her spat earlier this month with Majority Leader Andy Gardiner over how redistricting was conducted a decade ago.
How fear of Agenda 21 infiltrated mainstream Florida politics
Florida right-wing groups are up in arms over a 19-year-old initiative launched by the United Nations in an effort to promote sustainable development in communities all over the world.
Opinion: What’s wrong with Florida?
As the nation’s population moved south and west following World War II, Florida emerged as one of the most influential states in the nation.
‘Super’ Trend Hot in Florida, United States
Elected bodies in Washington and Florida have begun a new trend in lawmaking, or at least decision-making.
State Farm pays $5 billion to cover weather damages
State Farm Insurance has paid $5 billion to its customers for weather-related catastrophes — damage to cars, homes and other property so far this year — the largest U.S. insurer of homes and cars said on Sunday.
New Texas Windstorm Underwriting Association committed to prompt, fair service
It has been three years since Hurricane Ike struck the Texas coast and left Galveston and the surrounding areas changed in often devastating ways.
Data from new drone may help solve mysteries of hurricanes
An eight-pound drone that can sprout wings and nose into a hurricane’s eyewall on command could revolutionize hurricane forecasts.
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