Capitol to Courthouse Florida Insurance Report – Thursday, October 19, 2017

U.S. Senator Bill Nelson Worries FEMA Exec Is “Fox Guarding The Henhouse”

Senator Bill Nelson (R-Fla.) has demanded that FEMA ensure that its Hurricane Claims be handled in an “Open, Transparent and Independent Process” after Reports surfaced that 90% of Flood Claims in Florida were being denied.  Ryan Smith reports for Insurance Business.

Hurricane Irma Insurance Claims In Florida Approach $5 Billion

Hurricane Irma related Insurance Claims in Florida have increased further in the last week, rising around 8.5% to almost $5 Billion, with almost 32% of Claims now Closed, according to the latest data from the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation.  Steve Evans reports for SeekingAlpha.com.

·         Disasters Could Push Up Florida Insurance Rates, Commissioner Altmaier Says

 

Patriot National Deal Keeps It On New York Stock Exchange Through March 15

Troubled Patriot National Inc., a Fort Lauderdale-Based Insurance Services Company, saw its Stock Price Increase sharply after announcing that it will remain listed on the New York Stock Exchange through March 15.  The Sun-Sentinel’s Ron Hurtibise reports.

Too Soon To Know? Regulators Weigh Worker’s Comp Rates

Regulators pressed Representatives of a Workers’ Compensation Insurance Rating Service Wednesday about whether two Florida Supreme Court Rulings had in fact increased the cost of administering Claims, as many had feared.  Michael Moline reports for FloridaPolitics.com.

U.S. Senate Committee To Investigate Florida Nursing Home Deaths

The Top Members of the Committee questioned the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services about its New Nursing Home Emergency Preparedness Requirements and have requested responses from State Agencies in Florida and Texas regarding their preparations and responses to Hurricanes Harvey and Irma.  The Tampa Bay Times’ Alex Leary reports via “The Buzz” blog.

A Florida County of 15,000 People is the Least Healthy Place in America — Here’s Why

Located about an hour Southwest of Jacksonville, the County of roughly 15,000 People is the Least Healthy in the United States, ranking at or near the top of numerous causes of death.  Chris Weller reports for Business Insider.

Report Charts Course To Expand Florida Telehealth

Florida’s Telehealth Advisory Council on Tuesday unanimously approved a Final Report and Legislative Recommendations to remove barriers to the use of Telehealth.  THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA reports via WLRN.

Hundreds of Police to be Deployed for Richard Spencer Event

The University of Florida is bracing for the possibility that thousands of Demonstrators will descend Thursday to Protest a Speech by White Nationalist Richard Spencer even as Administrators pleaded with Students to stay away from the corner of campus where Spencer is scheduled to appear.  Joe Heim and Abigail Hauslohner report for the Washington Post.

Sarasota Personal Injury Lawyer Ready to Challenge Vern Buchanan for Seat in Congress

The Lawyer’s previous encounter with Public Office was a Run for Florida House District 70 in 2006, the same year Buchanan won his first U.S. House Race.  Hannah Morse reports for the Bradenton Herald.

In a Rare Rebuke of FPL, State Utility Regulators Reject Request for Nuclear Cost Recovery

Regulators said the Company must show the Proposed Nuclear Reactor is still feasible and reasonable before collecting money from Customers.  The Miami Herald’s Mary Ellen Klas reports via “The Buzz” blog.

Florida Constitution Commission Advances Four More Public Proposals

The Commission has Voted to formally consider a total of six measures Proposed by the Public, out of more than 2,000 Proposals Submitted after a series of Public Hearings earlier this year.  THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA’s Lloyd Dunkelberger reports via the Palm Beach Post.

·         Confusion Over Open Meetings Creates Unrest On Constitution Panel

How a Group of Florida Tomato Growers Could Help Derail NAFTA

With the support of some berry, melon and pepper Producers, the Florida Producers are pushing for stronger Anti-Dumping Measures — an idea that has been soundly Rejected by the Mexicans.  Caitlin Dewey reports for the Washington Post.

Insurance Trades Weigh In On Compound Medication Preauthorization Proposal

Insurance Trade Associations voiced support for a Proposed Rule by the Texas Department of Insurance, Division of Workers Compensation, that would require all Compounded Medications to go through a Preauthorization Process to be eligible for Reimbursement.  Joyce Famakinwa reports for Business Insurance.

California Governor Signs Bill That Could Energize Insurance Markets

Brown’s Signing of Assembly Bill 1641, which streamlines the Process to obtain so-called “Surplus Lines” Insurance Coverage, really is a big deal.  Right Street’s Steven Greenhut reports for Insurance Journal.

Detroit Mayor, Statehouse Leaders Take Another Shot At Michigan No-Fault Reform

H.B. 5013 would allow Insurers to offer two kinds of Policies with Limited Medical Benefits of either $250,000 or $500,000, covering the Driver, any Passengers and Pedestrians. Those offering the $250,000 Option would have to comply with Mandated Rate Rollbacks to guarantee savings for Consumers.  Right Street’s Alan Smith reports for Insurance Journal.

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