Capitol to Courthouse Florida Insurance Report: Thursday, April 2, 2015
Apr 2, 2015
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Daily Florida Insurance-Related Events
There are no insurance-related events scheduled for today.
Daily Florida Insurance-Related News
Florida hurricane building codes drop a notch in 2015 ratings
Florida dropped back to second place, but remains close to the top of the 18 hurricane-target coastal states in building codes in a 2015 rating report released Wednesday by the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety. Eliot Kleinberg reports for the Palm Beach Post.
Feds to Florida on health care funding fracas: Don’t call us for two weeks
Florida officials say the federal government is suspending negotiations over the potential loss of more than $1 billion in money now flowing to the state’s hospitals, the Associated Press reports via the Tampa Tribune’s “Fresh Squeezed Politics” blog.
Bruising Florida Battle Over Balance-Billing
After an emergency trip to the hospital, some patients find a nasty surprise in their mailbox — bills their insurer didn’t pay. Florida law protects some patients from this but not others, Health News Florida’s Carol Gentry explains.
Bill to allow guns in public schools suffers major setback
Prospects are dim for a contentious bill that would allow designated individuals to carry guns in Florida public schools, the Associated Press reports via SaintPetersBlog.com.
Senate finds a little more green for Florida Forever
Flooded with email in recent weeks, Florida senators added $35 million to their spending plan for Florida Forever, the environmental land-buying program initially set to get only $2 million from the Senate. The Palm Beach Post’s John Kennedy reports via the “Post on Politics” blog.
Senate approves Florida prison overhaul but faces fight with House
Florida’s troubled prison system would be placed under an independent oversight commission and steps taken to improve inmate health and prevent abuse by guards under legislation approved Wednesday by the state Senate. The Palm Beach Post’s John Kennedy reports via the “Post on Politics” blog.
Florida legislators stuff budget with millions for projects
Legislators have been able to secure line items in the initial House and Senate budgets for everything from money for a New Smyrna Beach surfing museum to money to help buy the Marion County house where Depression-era fugitive Ma Barker was shot and killed. Gary Fineout reports via SaintPetersBlog.com.
Georgia Governor Seeks Talks in Water Dispute
Georgia Governor Nathan Deal has tried to kick-start negotiations with Florida Governor Rick Scott and Alabama Governor Robert Bentley to try to reach agreement in the long-running battle over a river system the three states share, THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA’s Margie Menzel reports via SunshineStateNews.com.
Study: How traffic congestion in Florida cities compares to U.S., world
New data released by TomTom shows what many Florida drivers already know — traffic congestion in major cities can be a nightmare, Orlando Sentinel’s Matt Mauney reports.
Islamic State cited as need for Florida military public records exemption
A state lawmaker is using the threat of the Islamic State group to advance a bill that could make it harder for people to find addresses and phone numbers of military service members, their spouses and children, the Tampa Tribune reports.
What Agents Should Know About Flood Insurance Changes in Effect April 1
Starting yesterday, when flood insurance policyholders go to renew their policies, they could be quoted premium increases ranging from 15 to 18 percent on average if their home is their primary residence and up to 25 percent if it is a secondary home or a home that has suffered repetitive losses, Insurance Journal explains.
California to Insurers: Don’t Use Workers’ Comp Law to Deny Approved Care
California labor officials have issued a warning to insurance companies that a new workers’ compensation law shouldn’t be used to reopen old cases and deny previously approved home health care to injured workers. Michael Gravell reports via WCI360.com.
Oklahoma Workers’ Comp Commissioner Resigns; New Appointees Named
Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin has accepted the resignation of Troy Wilson Sr., the first chairman of the Oklahoma Workers’ Compensation Commission. His resignation is effective May 31, Insurance Journal reports.
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