Capitol to Courthouse Florida Insurance Report – Wednesday, December 14, 2016

 

Senators Start Weighing Florida’s Workers’ Comp Issues

Florida Senators Tuesday got a taste of the Debate that will play out in the coming months among Business, Legal and Labor Groups as the Legislature looks at revamping the Workers’ Compensation Insurance System.  THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA’s Jim Saunders reports via News4Jax.com.

·         Trial Bar Allies Turn Guns on Ratings Council in Workers’ Comp Hearing

·         PCI Statement on Workers’ Compensation Update by Florida Senate Banking & Insurance Committee 

 

Jeff Brandes Targets No-Fault Auto Insurance

On Tuesday, the St. Petersburg Republican Filed Legislation (SB 156) to repeal Personal Injury Protection, or PIP, which covers Minor Accident Claims, regardless of who was at fault.  The Miami Herald’s Michael Auslen reports via the “Naked Politics” blog.

 

Florida Paid Medicaid Insurers $26 Million To Cover Dead People, Report Says

The Dead don’t need Health Insurance Coverage.  But in Florida, Private Health Insurance Companies managing the State’s Medicaid Program still made money from the Dead, according to a Report issued Tuesday by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.  The Miami Herald’s Dan Chang reports.

 

Hermine Report:  State Denied Requests For Help

The State of Florida turned down several requests by the City of Tallahassee and Leon County for help even before Hurricane Hermine made Landfall on September 2.  Jeff Berlew reports for the Tallahassee Democrat.

 

Florida is Among the Worst States for Drivers — Or Are We The Best?

Let’s get this settled once and for all:  Florida is among the Worst States for Drivers.  Oh no, wait — we actually have some of the Best Drivers?  The Palm Beach Post’s Christina Webb reports via the “Protecting Your Pocket” blog.

Top Florida Stories of 2016: The End of Florida’s Hurricane Drought

Florida Insurance Commissioner Altmaier said he has been encouraged by the responsiveness of the Insurance Industry in handling Claims relating to the Storms.  Insurance Journal’s Amy O’Connor reports.

 

Lawmakers Look at Next Steps for Medical Marijuana

A Senate Panel Tuesday began exploring issues surrounding Medical Marijuana as Lawmakers prepare to carry out a Constitutional Amendment overwhelmingly Approved by Voters in November.  THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA’s Dara Kam reports via SayfieReview.com.

·         Rule Would Ban Use of Telemedicine for Marijuana

 

Report Says 24,000 Citizens in Florida Have Suspended Drivers License Because of Drug Offenses

A Report released this week by the Prison Policy Initiative finds more than 190,000 Drivers’ Licenses are suspended Nationally, including more than 24,000 in Florida alone, because of Non-Driving Drug Offenses.  Mitch Perry reports for FloridaPolitics.com.

 

Former Gators, Jags Linebacker Indicted for Health Care Fraud, Money Laundering

Former University of Florida and Jaguars Linebacker Monty Grow was Indicted in Federal Court on Tuesday with Conspiracy to Defraud the United States to Pay and Receive Health Care Kickbacks, Health Care Fraud, Money Laundering and causing the Misbranding on Drugs while held in Sale.  Garry Smits reports for the Florida Times-Union.

 

House Goes to Court Over Pitbull Contract

Florida Lawmakers want a Judge to force a Production Company to say how much Armando Christian Perez, better known as the Rapper Pitbull, was paid by the State’s Tourism-Marketing Arm to be a Musical Ambassador.  THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA’s Jim Turner reports via SayfieReview.com.

 

Florida Electors Case Goes to Appellate Court

Three Voters Contesting the Outcome of the 2016 Florida Presidential Election are determined to Stop the State’s 29 Electors from Casting their Ballots for Donald Trump.  Jeffrey Schweers reports for the Tallahassee Democrat.

 

Where’s the Seminoles’ Gambling Money? State of Florida Not Clear

A State Agency that Reports to Gov. Rick Scott isn’t clear on the Location of Millions of Dollars, FloridaPolitics.com’s Jim Rosica reports.

 

Ban the Bag, South Florida Lawmaker Says

A South Florida Lawmaker is trying again to establish Pilot Programs in Coastal Communities to Outlaw Plastic Shopping Bags, FloridaPolitics.com’s Jim Rosica reports.

 

Trade-Fueled Growth of Florida Ports Comes as Trump Signals Policy Shift

International Trade has helped Florida’s Port Industry expand rapidly over the past five years, but President-Elect Donald Trump has sent clear signs that the Incoming White House Attitude toward Trade would change under his Administration.  Matt Dixon reports for Politico Florida.

 

Tax Reformers Must Take Care Not To Kill Reinsurance Market

In their efforts to entice jobs back to our shores, Congress must be careful not to bring an Outsized Portion of Insurance Risk back with them inadvertently. The Issue at-Hand is a Deduction for Reinsurance Premiums taken by U.S. Companies who cede Premiums to Offshore Affiliates, Right Street’s Lori Sanders blogs via Insurance Journal.

 

  

 

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