Capitol to Courthouse Florida Insurance Report – Wednesday, January 11, 2017
Jan 11, 2017
Debate Heats Up Over Property Insurance Claims
With Insurers and Regulators blaming a surge in water-damage claims for higher property-insurance rates, Florida Lawmakers began grappling with a controversial debate that includes Homeowners, Contractors, Insurance Companies and Trial Lawyers. THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA’s Jim Saunders reports via SayfieReview.com.
- South Florida Lawmaker Wants Proof of Insurers’ Claims of Abuses
- Personal Insurance Federation of Florida Comments on the Hearing
Florida Lawmakers Propose Prescription Drug “Bait and Switch” Bill
Currently, no Florida Law prevents Health Insurance Companies from increasing a Member’s Out-of-Pocket Prescription Costs or changing the drugs they cover after the Contract is signed.
AHCA, Nursing Homes Disagree on Managed Care Change
A Top Official at Florida’s Agency for Health Care Administration on Tuesday objected to a Nursing-Home Industry Proposal to exclude some seniors from the State’s Medicaid Managed-Care Program. THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA reports via SayfieReview.com.
Life Insurance Co. of North America Alleged to Have Wrongfully Denied Benefit Claim
Christopher Chapman Filed a complaint on Dec. 23 in the Tampa Division for the Middle District of Florida against Life Insurance Co. of North America alleging violation of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act. Jenie Mallari-Torres reports for the Florida Record.
U.S. Representative Charlie Crist Added to House Financial Services Committee
Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi named Crist and three other Freshmen Democrats to the Committee. The Tampa Bay Times’ Alex Leary reports via “The Buzz” blog.
Visit Florida Picks Lawson to Serve as Top Executive
After a tumultuous few weeks, Visit Florida’s Board of Directors Tuesday tapped Scott Administration Veteran Ken Lawson to serve as its New Top Executive. Matt Dixon reports for Politico Florida.
Appeals Court Hears Arguments in Florida Gun-Law Lawsuit
An Appeals Court on Tuesday heard Oral Arguments over the Constitutionality of a 2011 State Law that allows Local Elected Officials to be fined and removed from Office for implementing Gun Control Ordinances that clash with less restrictive State Statutes. Troy Kinsey reports for BayNews9.com.
Audit Uncovers Flaws in State’s Accounting System
When you try to manage a Multi-Billion-Dollar State Budget with Three-Decade-Old Software, problems are bound to happen, FloridaPolitics.com’s Jim Rosica reports.
Greg Steube Files Fireworks Legalization Bill
Steube’s Bill would repeal the Prohibition on selling Fireworks to the general public, SaintPetersBlog.com’s Jim Rosica reports.
Corcoran Targets Tourism and Jobs Councils, College Foundations
Having secured the scalp of Visit Florida’s CEO, House Speaker Richard Corcoran is quickly moving on to other equally inviting targets of fiscal scrutiny: Florida’s Tourism Councils, Economic Development Boards and College and University Foundations. The Tampa Bay Times’ Steve Bousquet reports via “The Buzz” blog.
Settlement Reached in Florida Gay Marriage Birth Certificates Dispute
Two years after Gay Marriages became Legal in Florida, the State has agreed to settle a Federal Lawsuit over Birth Certificates issued to children born into Same-Sex Marriages. THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA’s Dara Kam reports via SayfieReview.com.
Lawmakers Grill Florida Environmental Regulators Over Water Pollution Limits
Members of the Senate Committee on Environmental Preservation and Conservation grilled Department of Environmental Protection Brass Tuesday on its handling of controversial New Water Pollution Limits. Jeff Burlew reports for the Tallahassee Democrat.
Florida’s Economic Development Efforts Are Underperforming
Overall, from 2006 to 2015, Florida Experienced Job Growth in only two of six targeted industry sectors, management of companies and enterprises, and professional, scientific and technical services. William Patrick reports for Watchdog.org.
Tornadoes, Hurricanes and Fires . . . Oh My! 2016 A Rough Year for the Southeast
It is fair to say 2016 was the year of the catastrophe in the Southeast. Tornadoes, Drought, Floods, Hurricanes, and Wildfires impacted virtually every State in the Region, Insurance Journal’s Amy O’Connor reports.
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