Capitol to Courthouse Headliners: Wednesday, July 14
Jul 14, 2010
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News Release: Florida Official Warns Congress of Insurance Cost Hikes
The Coalition for Competitive Insurance Rates today applauded Florida Insurance Consumer Advocate Sean Shaw’s statements in opposition to Rep. Richard Neal’s (D-MA) plan to tax foreign-based insurers and reinsurers.
State of Florida issues first mold remediation license
State Of Florida Department Of Business & Professional Regulation issues first mold remediation license to Gene Yacobacci of RMS Environmental Construction Services.
Orange County approves its first red-light cameras
After years of political wrangling over the issue, Orange County commissioners agreed Tuesday to install cameras at 10 dangerous intersections designed to catch red-light runners and send them a $158 fine in the mail.
Florida-based Concordis Group To Develop Captive Insurance Cell
Concordis Group, a provider of business insurance solution, has said that it will develop a new captive insurance cell, which will target the excessive medical costs experienced by mid-market companies.
Homeowners Insurance Squeezing Life Out Of South Florida
The last few hurricane seasons have been relatively quiet. No major storms have impacted the area, but that’s not translating into lower homeowners insurance rates, which are quietly and steadily on the rise.
Magnitude of Medicare fraud in South Florida grows
As the feds squeeze tighter, South Florida’s Medicare schemers have scurried into new territory to loot hundreds of millions of dollars from taxpayers, now billing the system for bogus mental health, physical therapy and other rehabilitation services.
Florida Medicaid reforms lead to fewer doctor visits
A report is met with skepticism about the program’s effectiveness
Northeast Florida’s Medicaid recipients are making fewer trips to the doctor for chronic illnesses since state officials outsourced the government-subsidized health insurance program to private managed care companies.
Come fall, UF students can use private insurers to pay campus medical bills
University of Florida students will be able to use their private insurance companies to pay for medical bills at the Student Health Care Center this fall.
Arizona-style immigration bills filed for Fla. special session
With the push for an Arizona-style immigration law already playing a central role in the Republican primary for governor, a pair of Florida legislators Tuesday sought to add the issue to next week’s special session on oil-drilling.
BP won’t pay for more Florida beach ads; Crist may call lawyers
In the first month of the Deepwater Horizon disaster, Gov. Charlie Crist asked BP for $25 million to pay for an advertising blitz to promote how clean Florida’s beaches are.
Charlie Crist may ask lawmakers for Panhandle relief
Pressure mounts to help ailing residents of Gulf coastline
Pressure is mounting for legislators to expand the special session next week to revamp Florida’s laws to help ailing Panhandle residents recover from the financial hit of the oil disaster.
Florida using only 100 Guard troops
Florida is using far fewer National Guard troops than have been authorized to help control the massive spill
Two months after President Barack Obama authorized 2,500 National Guard troops in Florida to combat the oil disaster, only 100 are being used.
Crist has utility-heavy list for PSC choices
Gov. Charlie Crist is expected to name his replacements for his two ousted appointees to the state utility-regulation board Wednesday, and will choose from a list of eight applicants that includes many with deep ties to utility companies.
Officials warn again about dengue fever in Key West
More cases appear but experts say simple steps prevent it
As South Floridians motor to the Keys for summer vacation, health officials on Tuesday urged caution about the persistent presence of mosquito-borne dengue fever in Key West.
Blog: Greene’s campaign manager quits
Democratic Senate contender Jeff Greene’s campaign manager, Josh Morrow, is outta here.
Moderate Crist not fading in polls
Gov. Charlie Crist, with no party affiliation, isn’t flaming out in the U.S. Senate race the way pollsters predicted.
Escambia County Judge Ackerman won’t return to bench in February
The Florida Supreme Court said today that Gov. Charlie Crist should appoint a replacement for former Escambia County Judge David Ackerman.
Statewide effort under way to encourage black voter turnout
An alliance of black legislators and civic groups today began a statewide effort to get voters registered and mobilized for the 2010 elections.
Florida Venture Forum seeks presenters
The Florida Venture Forum is looking for early stage private Florida companies in all industries to apply to present at the 2010 Florida Venture Forum Early Stage Capital Conference.
PCI To Fight Expected Wind Amendment To Flood Bill
Insurance industry representatives will oppose an expected amendment that would add wind coverage to a bill extending the National Flood Insurance Program for five years, according to Property Casualty Insurers Association of America (PCI) representatives.
Georgia Insurance Chief Oxendine Appeared in Video for Campaign Donor
An Atlanta TV station is reporting that State Insurance Commissioner John Oxendine appeared in a video promoting a hospice business whose top corporate officer can be linked to $57,000 in campaign donations.
Connecticut Supreme Court: Employer can count award toward workers comp
Employers are entitled to credit an employee’s third-party liability award against future workers compensation benefits for which they may be responsible, Connecticut’s Supreme Court said in a ruling released Tuesday.
S&P, Fitch Affirm Ratings On Aon After Hewitt Deal
Two rating agencies affirmed the ratings on Aon Corp. after the Chicago-based insurance broker announced plans to acquire Hewitt Associates Inc. for $4.9 billion.
Illinois Set to Implement State-Based Licensing System for Producers
The Illinois Department of Insurance has announced that on July 26, 2010, it will implement the State-Based Systems licensing system.
Idaho Surplus Line Contracts Face New Printing Requirements
The Independent Insurance Agents and Brokers of Idaho is reminding insurance brokers of new requirements for surplus lines contracts that took effect July 1.
Takaful insurance sector to grow in 2010: Report
The takaful insurance and reinsurance sector is likely to continue to grow in 2010, according to a report by Standard & Poor’s Corp.
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