Capitol to Courthouse Florida Insurance Report – Wednesday, May 04, 2016
May 4, 2016
Florida Insurance Commissioner Candidate Jeffrey Bragg Applies for PSC Post
Governor Rick Scott’s top choice to become insurance commissioner, Jeffrey S. Bragg, is among the 11 candidates who have applied to become Public Service Commissioner, the powerful board that regulates utilities. Mary Ellen Klas reports via the Tampa Bay Times “The Buzz” blog.
Miami-Dade County Legalizes Uber, Ride-Sharing Services
Ride-sharing services are now legal in Miami-Dade County. County commissioners passed a bill legalizing Uber, Lyft and other similar services in a 9-2 decision Tuesday night, Liane Morejon reports for WPLG Local 10 Miami.
Floridians Cannot Afford to See Their Flood Insurance Wash Away
Nearly 2 million Floridians depend on the National Flood Insurance Program for their flood insurance coverage, accounting for nearly 40 percent of all policies issued by the federal program nationwide. R-Street Director Christian Camera gives his opinion for the Tampa Bay Times.
More Acidic Seawater Now Dissolving Bit of Florida Keys Reef
Seawater — increasingly acidic due to global warming — is eating away the limestone framework for the coral reef of the upper Florida Keys, according to a new study. It’s something that scientists had expected, but not so soon. The Associated Press’ Seth Borenstein reports via ABC News.
Florida Business Owner Arrested for $300K Workers’ Comp Scheme
An owner of a construction company in Orlando, Florida is being charged with workers’ compensation premium fraud and engaging in an organized scheme to defraud, according to a statement from the Florida Department of Financial Services, Insurance Journal reports.
Florida’s Congressional Leaders Calling for Investigation into Florida Blue Health Care Changes
Just months into the insurance year, Florida Blue is changing the doctors who take myBlue. A plan offered through the Health Insurance Marketplace or Affordable Care Act. Patients say the lists of doctors taking the plan online are wrong, Jenn Strathman reports for WPTV.
Under Congressional Pressure, Florida Officials Elaborate on Drop in HIV Cases
After weeks of not answering questions on controversial revisions to the state HIV count, the Florida Department of Health has released more detailed information on the state’s calculations. The Tampa Bay Times’ Kathleen McGrory reports.
Judge Gives Preliminary OK to Florida Medicaid Kids Settlement
A federal judge has preliminarily approved the settlement of a decade-long lawsuit focused on allegations that Florida’s Medicaid program did not provide adequate care to children. THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA reports via the Sarasota Herald-Tribune.
Pot Law Patchwork Forming in Volusia
Daytona Beach is poised to become the latest local government to move toward changing its laws on possessing small amounts of marijuana, Eileen Zaffiro-Kean reports for the Daytona Beach News Journal.
Florida is 12th-Worst State for Working Moms, Report Says
WalletHub, a personal finance website, noted that Florida has the highest child care costs of any state — a 27 percent share of womens’ median salary. The Sun-Sentinel’s Marcia Heroux Pounds reports.
Texas Department of Insurance Notes Back-to-Back Texas Storms Prompt Questions on Deductibles
The Texas Department of Insurance reported it has been getting questions about deductibles after back-to-back storms hit the North Texas area, Insurance Journal reports.
South Carolina Issues Data Call of Risk Mitigation Policy Discounts
The South Carolina Department of Insurance has issued a data call for property and casualty insurers writing residential property in the state in an effort to inform South Carolina’s coastal homeowners of the discounts available for performing risk mitigation work on their homes, Insurance Journal’s Amy O’Connor reports.
MetLife Smacked with Record $25M Fine Tied to Variable Annuities
The largest U.S. life insurer agreed to the payment to settle an investigation by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Bloomberg reports via Investment News.
Rothfus, Luetkemeyer Join in Federal Insurance Transparency Bill
Congressman Keith Rothfus joined Housing and Insurance Subcommittee Chairman Blaine Luetkemeyer in introducing the Transparent Insurance Standards Act of 2016, the New Castle News reports.
South Carolina Joins State-Based Systems
The National Association of Insurance Commissioners announced that South Carolina has licensed State Based Systems as its regulatory system.
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