Capitol to Courthouse Florida Insurance Report: Thursday, June 30
Jun 30, 2011
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
9:00 a.m.–Citizens Property Insurance Corporation (“Citizens”) Claims Committee meeting. Teleconference: 877-866-0039. To view the meeting notice, click here.
(CANCELED) 10:00 a.m.–Florida Surplus Lines Service Office National Clearinghouse Committee meeting. Agenda includes issues pertaining to the proposed national surplus lines tax clearinghouse. To view the meeting notice, click here.
1:00 p.m.–Citizens Actuarial and Underwriting Committee meeting. Teleconference: 877-865-3696. To view the meeting notice, click here.
Blog: Citizens Property Insurance Corporation builds up money for hurricane claims
Citizens Property Insurance Corp. has lined up another $900 million to help pay claims if a major hurricane hits Florida, reports the News Service of Florida.
The state’s Public Service Commission on Wednesday will discuss its search for a new executive director.
Fire Still a Risk Despite Rains, Florida Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam Says
State and local firefighters are continuing to battle more than 200 fires throughout Florida, but recent rains have lowered the threat in much of the state.
Demotech: Adequately Reinsured Insurers Will Not Be Penalized for Honoring Catastrophe Losses
From April 2010 through June 20, 2011 there were 82 domestic catastrophes. During this fourteen month period domestic insurers have protected consumers against catastrophe situations such as earthquakes, flooding, an oil spill, severe weather, tornados, tropical storms, seasonal storms, and wildfires.
Florida Agency Employees Charged with Premium Fraud
Three insurance agency employees have been arrested in Florida for allegedly stealing thousands of dollars in auto premiums.
Florida Supreme Court Upholds $2 Million Malpractice Verdict
The Florida Supreme Court has rejected a public hospital’s appeal of a $2 million malpractice verdict in the death of an infant.
Florida’s sweeping Medicaid waiver gets 30-day extension
The federal government has advised Florida Deputy Secretary for Medicaid Roberta Bradford that the state’s demonstration waiver will be approved until July 31. The letter says the feds look forward to working with state to finalize extension of the waiver
THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA: Florida’s Medicaid Overhaul Drops Patient Counseling
When Florida lawmakers approved a Medicaid overhaul last month, they decided almost all beneficiaries should enroll in HMOs or other types of managed-care plans.
Florida rejects millions more in federal health-care grants
When she thinks about how much care $35 million would buy, Mary Ellen Grant shudders. And then she gets angry.
Hospital squabble to go before judge
To each side in the Citrus Memorial Health Systems oversight debate, the argument seems clear.
Judge strikes down Florida campaign finance matching law
A Florida federal judge has struck down a provision of state campaign finance law that attempted to negate an advantage for millionaire candidates like Rick Scott by providing matching tax dollars to their opponents.
Don Gaetz to be next Florida Senate president
Wednesday’s announcement that state Sen. Don Gaetz will be the next Senate president wasn’t a real shocker for those who follow Florida politics.
Florida Supreme Court considers whether Governor Scott exceeded rule-making power
The Florida Supreme Court considered Wednesday whether Gov. Rick Scott exceeded his authority in suspending state agency rule making.
Blog: Florida Department of Children and Families scurries to ramp up drug testing by Friday
Hustling to make a Friday deadline, state social service officials met Wednesday to map out and get last-minute public input on broad policy guidelines as Florida begins drug testing new applicants for welfare benefits, reports Michael Peltier of the News Service of Florida.
New Florida laws take effect Friday
Florida will take another step into an era of declining expectations from its cash-strapped state government this week when the most austere in a series of tight annual budgets goes into effect.
Florida Governor Scott completes sale of his Solantic urgent care chain to New York equity firm
Solantic, the urgent care chain founded by Gov. Rick Scott, said Wednesday it had completed the sale of its privately owned medical care centers to New York-based equity firm Welsh, Carson, Anderson & Stowe.
Florida not as business friendly as some, analysis shows
Florida ranks 18 in nationwide CNBC analysis; state scores well for transportation and infrastructure and workforce but ranks poorly in education and regulatory/legal categories.
Florida Agriculture Commissioner Putnam: I’m not running for governor in 2014
Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam, viewed as a potential contender for governor, says he has no interest in running for governor in 2014 against incumbent Gov. Rick Scott. Scott’s low poll ratings have already fueled speculation that the governor could draw a primary challenger.
Scott, lawmakers turn cost-cutting attention to law enforcement
A task force in Tallahassee will explore ways of saving tax dollars by consolidating law enforcement agencies
After eliminating thousands of rank-and-file jobs from the state work force, Gov. Rick Scott and the Legislature are turning their cost-cutting attention to a more politically sensitive area: law enforcement.
Florida sixth in contaminated beaches report
Florida’s beaches in 2010 were a little less clean than in 2009, according to an annual report that ranks beaches around the nation.
Contractor for “Taj Mahal” courthouse sues the state over unpaid bills
Signature Art Gallery Owner Mary Maida on Wednesday filed a lawsuit in Leon County court, charging two state agencies with breach of contract for refusing to pay for photographs ordered for the new 1st DCA courthouse in Tallahassee.
Jeb Jr. launches SunPAC to ‘promote the core Conservative values’
Jeb Bush Jr., son of former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, recently launched Florida Hispanic Outreach, aka SunPAC; its mission is to “promote the core Conservative values of free enterprise, limited government and fiscal and personal responsibility, in Florida and throughout the United States.”
Reform Bill Gives Texas Windstorm Insurance Association Ability to Issue Pre-Event Bonds
It took a special legislative session for them to agree, but Texas lawmakers have passed reform legislation for the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association.
Insurers look to Industry Loss Warranties for disaster protection
Alternative reinsurance products Industry Loss Warranties are increasing in demand after a slowdown in catastrophe bond issuance left cash-rich investors wondering where to put their money.
Consumer advocates are questioning whether the Treasury Department should include an actuary as a member of the proposed Federal Advisory Committee on Insurance, citing a potential conflict of interest, among other concerns.
Editorial: Alabama Insurance Chief Can Step In to Reassure Storm Victims
About 500 people have contacted the Alabama Department of Insurance regarding April’s devastating tornadoes.
National Insurance Crime Bureau: Top 10 coverages generating potentially fraudulent claims
The National Insurance Crime Bureau in a recent report identified the 10 types of insurance policies that generate the most questionable claims-those insurers referred to the organization for additional review based on one or more potential indicators of fraud.
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