Capitol to Courthouse Headliners: Wednesday, July 25

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Insurers’ ‘adjustments’ a bad joke

Florida lawmakers faced a formidable task as the Legislature convened for the January 2007 special session: to develop a strategy to handle the property insurance crisis.

 

Insurance chief hardens stance on rate cuts

It might have been just another property insurance rate hearing in Florida, but for Insurance Commissioner Kevin McCarty, the July 10 proceeding was “illuminating.”

 

State Farm readies its ax, but who gets cut?

Southwest Florida’s barrier islands are almost assured to bear the brunt of insurance policy cutbacks as State Farm trims 50,000 customers next year.

 

Fla. Businesses Form Unit To Study Insurance Woes

Associated Industries of Florida said an insurance trade group executive will head a newly formed panel of Florida business leaders seeking solutions to the state’s property insurance rate crisis.

 

Report On NAIC Activity Irks Lawmaker

A critical study by a state legislators’ group has found that the National Association of Insurance Commissioners engages in expanded activities with no state controls.

 

NCOIL Passes Measures Opposing OFC, McCarran Act Repeal

State lawmakers have taken a firm stand against both an optional federal charter for insurers and repeal of the McCarran Ferguson Act anti-trust exemption for insurers.

 

Terror Insurance Act Moves Forward in House with Lowered Event Triggers

The federal Terrorism Risk Insurance Revision and Extension Act moved out of the House Financial Services Subcommittee on Capital Markets, Insurance, and Government Sponsored Enterprises this week and on to the full House Financial Services Committee.

 

Deeper Florida budget cuts on the way

With the state’s economy sagging, Florida legislators will return to the Capitol this fall to slash up to $1 billion from the state budget, a move that could force them to cut money for schools or healthcare.

 

OFC House Bill Introduced

WASHINGTON —Companion legislation to a Senate bill creating an option federal charter for insurers was unveiled in the House today.

 

Insurance issues still lingering

It’s been about six months since the state Legislature passed an insurance reform package, and while the savings that arose from the reforms are becoming clearer, the future of insurance costs remains even less clear.

 

Crist says tax increases unlikely solution for budget dilemma

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — It’s unlikely taxes will be increased, as Democratic leaders have suggested, to help Florida overcome a potential $1 billion revenue shortfall if Gov. Charlie Crist gets his way.

 

Lawmaker finds fault with Crist’s environmental agenda

House Speaker Marco Rubio said Gov. Crist’s climate change initiatives will have a negative effect on Floridians.

TALLAHASSEE — House Speaker Marco Rubio lashed out at Gov. Charlie Crist’s clean energy initiatives this week, calling them expensive ”European-style big government mandates” that could have ”negative consequences” for Florida.

 

Justice Dept. Probes Discrimination By Lenders

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The U.S. Justice Department has opened up several investigations into whether borrowers faced discriminated by providers of mortgages and other credit products, an official told U.S. lawmakers on Wednesday.

 

Resolution takes on Friends in $18 bln deal

LONDON (Reuters) – British life assurance company Resolution has agreed an 8.6 billion-pound ($17.7 billion) all-share merger with rival Friends Provident that will almost double its size and open the closed life funds specialist to new business growth.

 

Mentally Ill Struggle With Lesser Insurance

TALLAHASSEE – Mental illness threw David Harkins’ life into reverse.  At 19, he was managing the basketball team at Florida College, where he received his associate degree in 1971. He got married, had children, became a computer support specialist and bought a home.

 

Hurricane Forum Is One-Stop Source

RUSKIN – When it comes to hurricanes, county officials say the best possible defense is to have a plan.

 

Managed-Care Enrollment Fraudulent, Lawsuit Claims

ST. PETERSBURG – Class-action lawyer Joseph Saunders filed suit Tuesday against UnitedHealthcare of Florida, on behalf of his mother and others who he says were fraudulently enrolled in the company’s Medicare Advantage plans.

 

Mental Health Parity

THE ISSUE: Health insurers in Florida and some other states can offer lower levels of mental health coverage than physical health.

 

Health Insurance Shift Could Hurt Kids, Moms-To-Be

TALLAHASSEE – Florida’s effort to shift Medicaid patients into private and managed care plans may illegally deny benefits to some children and pregnant women, lawyers at the federal Government Accountability Office warned Tuesday.
 
 

Democratic Hopefuls Snub Party Moderates  

WASHINGTON (AP) — Bill Clinton will be there. So will 300 officeholders from more than 45 states. But one thing will be missing when Democrats gather in Tennessee this weekend to discuss how to appeal to moderate, independent-minded voters in 2008: the Democratic presidential field.

 

Many of state’s kids in crisis, report finds

Child advocates say Florida needs to boost programs and funding for services.

Nearly one out of every five children in Florida is growing up in poverty, and the state has one of the highest rates in the nation of single-parent families, a report released today says.

 

DCF’s Butterworth honored with governor’s award

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Department of Children & Families Secretary Bob Butterworth was presented with a National Gov.’s Association public service award at the governor’s mansion Tuesday.

 

Managed-Care Enrollment Fraudulent, Lawsuit Claims

ST. PETERSBURG – Class-action lawyer Joseph Saunders filed suit Tuesday against UnitedHealthcare of Florida, on behalf of his mother and others who he says were fraudulently enrolled in the company’s Medicare Advantage plans.

 

GAO makes 2nd visit to inspect D-13 voting

SARASOTA –On the same day that Democrat Christine Jennings announced she was planning to run again for the 13th Congressional District seat, representatives from the Government Accountability Office were in town investigating Sarasota County’s voting mach- ines.

 

La. Airport to Reopen Traffic Control

Permanent air traffic control service is set to resume for the first time since Hurricane Katrina at an airport near downtown New Orleans.