Capitol to Courthouse Headliners: Tuesday, September 28
Sep 28, 2010
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Hannover Re sees gains from Florida collateral cut
Florida regulators slashed collateral requirements for a Hannover Re unit as they dismantle barriers to offshore reinsurance in the hurricane-prone state, stoking hopes other states may follow.
South Florida placed under tropical storm warning
Brace for a wet, windy next few days — and perhaps some serious flooding.
Blog: Deadline for Hurricane Wilma claims approaching
Floridians whose homes were damaged by Hurricane Wilma have until Oct. 24 to pursue an insurance claim.
Economist Rips Rival Rick Scott’s Citizens Insurance Proposal
Economist Farid A. Khavari, the scrappy independent candidate who hopes to become only the second person in Florida history to win the governorship outside the ingrained and increasingly polarized two-party establishment, sharply criticized a recent proposal by Republican gubernatorial candidate Rick Scott to make Citizens Property Insurance Corp. actuarially sound while turning the government-run entity into an “insurer of last resort.”
Blog: What the Citizens insurance rate hike means for you
Regulators approved an average 10 percent statewide rate hike last week for Citizens Property Insurance’s homeowner policies – which include coverage for homes, condominiums and renters – and an average 9 percent increase for mobile home policies.
- Citizens policyholders in Manatee and Sarasota counties will see decrease
- Letters to the Editor — Re: Citizens hike exceeds cap | Sept. 24, story
Builder sues Stuart supplier over Chinese drywall
A division of a nationwide home builder has filed a lawsuit charging a local company with supplying and installing defective Chinese drywall.
Seven Broward men arrested in ‘crash for cash’ scheme
Seven Broward County residents have been arrested after allegedly intentionally crashing a rented U-Haul truck into a passenger van, then fradulently billing their insurance companies for $80,000 in medical services at various clinics, state insurance investigators said.
Florida Insurance Commissioner Kevin McCarty today announced the Office of Insurance Regulation (Office) and the Insurance and Surety National Commissioner of the United Mexican States signed a Memorandum of Understanding.
Florida Insurance Commissioner Kevin McCarty: Health Reform — More Work on the Horizon
In March 2010, Congress passed the Affordable Care Act (ACA) that promised to expand health insurance coverage to millions of Americans. Although the bill was characterized as “federal reform,” it is actually the states that are responsible for implementation and for ensuring compliance with federal law.
Florida Department of Health cancels drug database contract
Florida’s effort to launch a prescription drug database meant to help crack down on””pills mills” and “doctor shopping” appears likely to encounter more delays.
State law makes changes for pain clinics
It’s not your average doctor’s office. A sign on the door reads, “No knives, weapons or food.”
Floridians will get tax credits for health care
Nearly 2 million Floridians will be eligible for health-care tax credits in 2014, according to the advocacy group Families USA.
South Florida health insurance costs rise less
A study by Hewitt Associates found health insurance costs in South Florida have risen less than the national average this year for the first time since 2006.
Study: Florida hospital care good, patients unhappy
Florida hospitals have among the best quality of care in the nation, but score poorly in patient satisfaction, according to a study conducted by hospital rating service CareChex.
Florida delays giving nearly 30,000 acres to feds
A proposal to donate nearly 30,000 acres of state lands in South Florida to the Big Cypress National Preserve has hit a snag.
Governor Charlie Crist and the Florida Cabinet today unanimously voted to approve Mimi A. Drew as Secretary of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.
Congressional leaders – including two Florida representatives and House Financial Services Committee Chairman Barney Frank – are calling on Fannie Mae to explain why the government-owned mortgage giant is retaining the services of four Florida law firms under investigation for allegedly “fabricating or backdating” documents in foreclosure cases.
Attacks on homeless will be hate crimes in Florida
This week it will become a hate crime to attack a homeless person with prejudice in Florida, meaning a crime like the fatal bludgeoning of a Vietnam veteran last year will come with steeper consequences.
The New York Times: Florida Voters Enter Battle on Growth
Lesley Blackner drove through a maze of condominium towers, rarely seeing any curtains in the windows, or residents, and tried to contain her anger.
For the moment, Alex Sink has more money than Rick Scott
GOP fundraising is expected to pick up, party chairman says
Candidates and independent groups have begun reloading their bank accounts in recent weeks for the final battle in Florida’s 2010 gubernatorial election.
U.S. Senator Bill Nelson: Human-spaceflight program is ‘teetering on the edge’
U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson warned Monday that if Congress does not pass NASA legislation this week, America’s human-spaceflight program could be “teetering on the edge” of disaster.
Small-business advocate endorses Republican Pam Bondi
Florida’s major advocate for small-business owners endorsed Republican Pam Bondi for attorney general Monday, citing her fierce support of the state’s federal lawsuit against the Obama Administration’s national health-care plan.
TIME: Florida’s 25th District — Joe Garcia vs. David Rivera
One overhyped story in the 2008 election was the supposed rise of Miami’s moderate Cuban-American voters.
Supreme Court justices targeted for defeat after Amendment 9 ruling
A group says it will target two of the Florida Supreme Court justices who helped remove Amendment 9 — the “health care freedom” amendment — from the November ballot.
Blog: Florida earns a grim distinction — The largest increase in poverty
The Economic Policy Institute reports that although Mississippi and Arkansas have the highest poverty rates in the nation — 21.9 percent and 18.8 percent respectively — “Florida saw the largest increase in poverty — 2.8 percentage points — over the course of the recession, new Census data shows.
Blog: Liberal group creates website for voters to request mail ballots
A liberal group called Progress Florida is telling voters they can avoid the weather and lines at the polls by signing up to cast mail-in ballots from home.
15-megawatt solar farm opens on Westside
A national solar energy company and JEA this morning unveiled a new 15-megawatt Westside solar farm capable of powering 12,000 homes.
Southwest-AirTran deal could change South Florida skies
Southwest Airlines plans to buy AirTran Airways, a move that will boost the company’s presence domestically and abroad — and potentially lead to rising airfares, industry watchdogs say
Low-cost carrier Southwest Airlines’ planned purchase of AirTran Airways could eventually mean broader choices for South Florida fliers. But it could also mean higher airfares, industry watchers say.
U.S. Regulator Says Global Derivatives Rules Will Be Similar
A top U.S. regulator said on Tuesday that transatlantic trading requirements for derivatives were likely to vary somewhat but that the differences should be kept to a minimum.
Blog: Judge weighs release of Hurricane Ike settlement details
A Galveston County judge is expected to decide today whether the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association must release details of a $189 million Hurricane Ike settlement that has become a pitched political battle between Democrats and Republicans, trial lawyers and tort reformers.
It didn’t take long for a lawmaker’s request for information to blow up into a bitter battle between two of the state’s longest-feuding and most powerful interest groups: the trial lawyers and the tort reformers.
Maryland Court Upholds State Cap on Lawsuit Payouts
Maryland’s highest court has upheld a state law that limits the amount of money people can receive for suffering in lawsuits.
Blog: Texas High Court — Broken Bed Falls Under Malpractice Cap
Does a broken hospital bed constitute a medical mistake? As a federal judge considers the constitutionality of Texas’ 2003 medical malpractice reform – and Gov. Rick Perry campaigns for more lawsuit restrictions – the Texas Supreme Court has narrowly ruled that hospital injuries seemingly unrelated to doctor error can still fall under the state’s stringent medical malpractice caps.
Arkansas Cracking Down on Counterfeit Insurance Cards
Eight of nine individuals alleged to have produced, bought, or sold counterfeit proof of insurance cards for motor vehicles have turned themselves in as the result of warrants executed by the Arkansas Insurance Department.
Medical Benefits Biggest Cost in California Workers’ Comp System
The sagging economy took a toll on California’s covered work force and payroll in 2008, but the California workers’ compensation system remains the largest in the United States, accounting for more than 1 out of 9 covered workers, more than 1 out of 8 dollars in covered wages, and 1 out of 6 benefit dollars paid under state and federal programs.
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