Capitol to Courthouse Florida Insurance Report – Wednesday, February 08, 2017
Feb 8, 2017
Demotech Suspends Florida Insurer Rating Criteria; Says Downgrades Coming
Recent Florida Supreme Court Decisions and ongoing abuse in Florida’s Insurance Market have led a Ratings Company to change the Criteria it uses when rating Insurers in the State. The announcement comes as Insurers get ready to announce their 2016 Annual Reports that could indicate unfavorable results for many. Insurance Journal’s Amy O’Connor reports.
Proof of Loss Deadline Extended for Florida Hurricane Matthew Claims
The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation announced that the Federal Emergency Management Agency has granted another extension giving National Flood Insurance Program Policyholders in Florida an additional 60 days to file a complete, signed, and sworn Proof of Loss in support of their Insurance Claim for flooding damages associated with Hurricane Matthew.
FPL Gets OK for Hurricane Recovery Rate Hike
Whether they took the brunt of Hurricane Matthew or experienced a rainy breeze, Florida Power & Light Customers will spend the next year paying for the Utility’s Response to the early October Storm. THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA’s Jim Turner reports via the Sun-Sentinel.
On Tuesday, the Senate Transportation Committee unanimously passed Legislation to reduce the number of Driver’s Licenses suspended annually in Florida. Mitch Perry reports for FloridaPolitics.com.
Plan would Scrap Limits on Trauma Centers in Florida
Wading into an issue that has sparked years of legal battles, a Senate Republican on Tuesday filed a Proposal that would eliminate Caps on the numbers of Trauma Centers in the State. THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA reports via the Gainesville Sun.
Direct Primary Care Bill Easily Passes First Hurdle
The Healthcare Model allows Patients to pay Doctors monthly fees in exchange for basic services. Proponents say the System cuts out Insurers, and lowers costs and wait times. Kate Payne reports for WFSU.org.
Telehealth to Take Center Stage at House Health Quality Subcommittee Meeting
Florida’s use of Telehealth is apparently lower than National Rates, Christine Sexton reports for Politico Florida.
Lawmakers May Bar Insurers From Dropping Drug During Policy Term
Private Health Insurers would not be able to yank Prescription Drugs from their Approved-for-Coverage lists during the middle of a Health Insurance Policy Term, if a Proposed Ban becomes Law in Florida, the Sun-Sentinel’s Ron Hurtibise reports.
Scott, Corcoran Economic Incentives Debate Gets Personal
With a House Committee poised to Approve a Bill that would eliminate Economic-Development and Tourism Programs, Governor Rick Scott on Tuesday personally criticized House Speaker Richard Corcoran, accusing him of using the issue to further his political career. THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA’s Lloyd Dunkeberger reports via SayfieReview.com.
· A Cordial House Reception for Scott’s Budget, Despite Off-Stage Rancor
House Members’ Project Bills Would Add $708 Million to State Budget
Florida House Members had Filed 319 Bills seeking money for Local Projects as the Deadline for such Legislation fell Monday, Michael Moline reports for FloridaPolitics.com.
Multimillion-Dollar Florida Tax Battle Heads to Court
The current Owners of two Kraft Foods Companies are going to Court over a disputed $25 Million in Florida Corporate Income Tax. Jim Rosica reports for FloridaPolitics.com.
Public Records Bill Squeaks Through Senate Panel
A Bill that Open Government Advocates say will place a “Chilling Effect” on Citizens and Media Outlets attempting to get Public Records narrowly moved through a Senate Panel Tuesday. Gray Rohrer reports for the Orlando Sentinel.
Negron’s Everglades Reservoir Passes First Stop as Senators Openly Question Idea
Senate President Joe Negron’s proposed Everglades Reservoir Storage Reservoir unanimously passed its First Committee Stop, but Senators raised concerns and proposed an alternative to buying more land. Politico Florida’s Bruce Ritchie reports.
Hundreds Speak Out on Medical Marijuana, and They Don’t Like the Rules
New Medical Marijuana Regulations Proposed by State Health Officials would block patients from timely and affordable access to medication, restrict Physicians in treating their Patients, and potentially undercut the development and distribution of quality medicine, an overflow crowd told Florida Department of Health officials Tuesday morning in Fort Lauderdale. The Miami Herald’s David Smiley reports.
Redistricting Overhaul Clears First Senate Panel
A Bill aimed at speeding up the handling of Political Redistricting Court Cases breezed through its First Senate Committee, Jim Rosica reports for FloridaPolitics.com.
No Prison Time For Former State Representative Reggie Fullwood
Former State Representative Reggie Fullwood is now a convicted felon, but he won’t serve a day in Prison, ActionNewsJax.com reports.
Amendment 4 Implementing Bill Clears First Senate Committee
A Senate Panel OK’d a Bill Tuesday to Implement Amendment 4, which exempts Solar and Renewable Energy Devices from Property Taxes. Jenna Buzzacco-Foerster reports for FloridaPolitics.com.
Massachusetts Insurance Commissioner Stepping Down
Judson will leave the Division of Insurance February 24, according to the Division. He will begin a new job the following week as President of the Workers’ Compensation Rating and Inspection Bureau of Massachusetts, a Private Association of Insurers. Priyanka Dayal McCluskey reports for the Boston Globe.
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