Capitol to Courthouse Headliners: Friday, May 9
May 9, 2008
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Results mixed for Citizens’ loan program
The 13 insurers that took advantage of a low-cost loan program to pump up capital and write thousands of new policies are still sitting on millions of unused dollars.
EDITORIAL: Legislature ends with mixed reviews
Lawmakers Missed a Chance to Fix What Ails Florida
Whenever the Legislature convenes a new session, there is anticipation about what will be accomplished.
The Florida College of Emergency Physicians applauds Gov. Crist’s efforts to increase access to medical care for millions of Floridians through the Cover Florida Plan (“Health-cost estimates for uninsured OK’d in House,” April 30).
One bill passed by the Legislature this past session that did not garner big headlines but is big among some business owners will finally right a wrong.
Gov. Charlie Crist said “God bless Gov. Chiles” as the 2008 Legislature drew to a close last week, thankful for $2.4-billion in reserves made possible by the late Lawton Chiles.
FPL employees prepare for future storms during four-day drill
For dozens of Florida Power & Light Co. employees gathered at company headquarters near Miami this week, work was play.
COLUMN: Let South Florida secede and take its high taxes
There’s a move afoot to divide Florida into two states – North Florida and South Florida.
OP-ED: Hometown Democracy movement not mainstream environmentalism
On April 23, a state appeals court ruled unconstitutional a law allowing Floridians who have signed an initiative petition to change their mind and revoke their signature.
Homeowner Rescue Bill Passed Despite Veto Threat
Hoping to throw a rescue line to at least half a million families in danger of losing their homes, the House on Thursday approved legislation that seeks to broadly expand the availability of mortgages insured by the federal government.
Hard Sell to Medicare Insurance Buyers Would Get Softer Under New Rules
The Bush administration proposed on Thursday to crack down on the aggressive marketing of private Medicare insurance plans by outlawing unsolicited visits and telephone calls to beneficiaries, regulating commissions paid to sales agents and increasing the fines that could be imposed on insurers.
NAIC Urges Stronger Medicare Regulation
National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) President and Kansas Insurance Commissioner Sandy Praeger today issued the following statement in response to the proposed regulation on Medicare marketing released by the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS):
FSA Finds Comparative Insurance Web Sites Not Equal
Customers shopping online for personal lines insurance in Britain may not have equally reliable buying experiences, according to a report released by the FSA.
Respiratory Illness Rose in Children After Katrina Hit
Hurricane Katrina provoked increased complaints to doctors of pneumonia, bronchitis and other lower respiratory illnesses among 144 children studied in Mississippi, according to a report released yesterday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Louisiana House Panel OKs Hike in Car Insurance Minimum
In a move that insurers say could lead to Louisiana having the highest auto insurance liability rates in the nation, a House of Representatives committee has approved HB 1312, which would raise the minimum insurance coverage Louisiana motorists must carry on their vehicles.
Mississippi Governor Matches Funds for Hazard Mitigation Grant Program
Local governments needing hazard mitigation grants to increase community safety and disaster preparedness will pay less money to match federal dollars, Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour said.
Mass. Cuts High Risk Exemption for New Auto Insurers to 2 Years
New carriers in the Massachusetts auto insurance market will be exempt from high risk assignments for their first two years under an amended rule approved by Massachusetts Insurance Commissioner Nonnie Burnes.
Colorado Bill Gives Regulator Authority to Demand Insurance Compensation
Colorado Governor Bill Ritter has signed a bill that will allow the state Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA), and its Division of Insurance the legal authority to demand that insurance companies or agents compensate customers fully when they have been wronged by unlawful business practices.
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