Capitol to Courthouse Headliners: Thursday, Oct. 25

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Children’s health insurance back for vote today

WASHINGTON – Congressional Democrats, having made modest changes to a children’s health bill that President Bush vetoed, plan to bring the issue to another vote today in hopes of scoring a win on a top domestic issue.

 

FBI raid shutters Medicare insurer

Probe of Tampa-based WellCare involves federal, state agencies

For the past two years, analysts have been asking how fast-growing WellCare Health Plans of Tampa has been able to make so much money running government health plans for the poor and elderly.

 

Feds search Florida offices of PeachCare insurer

Federal authorities Wednesday searched the Tampa headquarters of WellCare Health Plans Inc., an insurer that has a strong presence in Georgia. Trading of WellCare stock was suspended, but no one would say why the company is being targeted.

 

Connecticut concerned about FBI raid on Fla. health care provider

HARTFORD, Conn. — Connecticut officials said Thursday they are contacting three managed health care companies to determine if they can cover more than 35,000 needy children and some parents in case a Florida firm drops its coverage.

 

Four compete in special primary for Florida House District 101

With just five days left until Republicans in southwest Broward vote in a special primary for state representative, candidates are engaged in a grueling dawn-to-midnight race to become known and bring to the polls the pockets of voters who could determine the winner.

 

Humana, Bank Team Up For Card

TAMPA – Just how expensive is health insurance becoming? Here’s a clue: A major insurer and a bank are co-sponsoring a no-interest credit card for out-of-pocket expenses.

 

Calif. homeowners fear insurance woes

LOS ANGELES – Despite reassurances from state officials, homeowners in fire-ravaged Southern California might have plenty to worry about when it comes to home insurance.

 

What FEMA covers

President Bush’s decision to elevate the California fires to disaster status opens the door to increased federal aid for people and hard-pressed governments seeking to rebuild.

 

Insured wildfire loss could top $1.6 billion

NEW YORK (Reuters) – Insured losses from California wildfires could exceed $1.6 billion if the fires continued to spread, a risk modeling firm said on Thursday.

 

Regulator says insurers can bring in out-of-state adjusters to help

SACRAMENTO — – Insurance companies, already scrambling to bring in personnel from across the country to handle a surge in fire claims, got help today from California Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner.

 

Auto rate hike to be modest

No Massachusetts drivers, even the very worst ones, are likely to see more than a 10 percent increase in their premiums when auto insurance competition begins next year, according to two bulletins issued by the state insurance commissioner.

 

Highway Patrol Is Zooming In On Aggressive Truck Drivers

TAMPA – Florida Highway Patrol troopers this week are focusing their speed guns on tractor-trailer rigs to reduce fatal accidents because commercial drivers have been involved in more than their share recently. 

 

City won’t bill insurance for crash response

WINTER SPRINGS – The City Commission on Monday night decided against an ordinance charging fees to insurance companies of drivers who cause motor-vehicle accidents within Winter Springs, Deputy Mayor Sally McGinnis said.

 

U.S. Attorney seeks computer hard drive in Katrina probe

NEW ORLEANS – An engineering firm that helped adjust insurance claims on the Gulf Coast after Hurricane Katrina is seeking to block an employee’s computer hard drive from being turned over to a federal grand jury in Mississippi. Forensic Analysis & Engineering Corp. asked a federal judge on Wednesday to bar Zach Scruggs – an attorney for hundreds of homeowners suing insurers after Katrina – from complying with a subpoena for the hard drive obtained by U.S. Attorney Dunn Lampton.

 

Allstate profit under fire from state regulators

Allstate Texas Lloyds factored in excessive profits and costs into its latest rate increase imposed on Texas homeowners, regulators allege in an order demanding refunds.

 

House Panel Calls for Holocaust Insurance Policy Disclosure

A U.S. House of Representatives’ panel endorsed legislation this week that would require insurance companies to disclose information on Holocaust-era policy holders.

 

U.S. regulators require opt-out on bank solicitations

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S. banking regulators issued final rules on Thursday aimed at reducing the clutter of unwanted marketing solicitations to prospective financial institution customers.

 

Student film shows driving-drunk horror

The back seat of the white Nissan sedan was jutting out of the rear window, shattered glass sprinkled the interior and the roof looked like a crushed soda can.