Capitol to Courthouse Headliners: Wednesday, Oct. 3

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Compromise may be reached on continuing with PIP

TALLAHASSEE — Lawmakers got their first taste Tuesday of what promises to be the main “food fight” of the upcoming special session, as both House and Senate committees discussed the state’s lapsed no-fault auto insurance.

 

State Farm agrees to discount homeowners’ insurance 9 percent

TALLAHASSEE — State Farm has agreed to increase the 7 percent discount on homeowners’ insurance it started June 1 to 9 percent, part of a wide-ranging agreement that puts to rest the insurer’s conflict with state regulators.

 

PIP Transition Period Concerns House Panel

TALLAHASSEE – It was described as compromise legislation that could resurrect Florida’s no-fault auto insurance system, but committee hearings on Tuesday suggested that advocates for the recently expired system still have their work cut out for them.

 

Lawmakers Question Credit-Insurance Link

WASHINGTON — The practice of insurers basing auto insurance premiums on a customer’s credit rating was questioned at a House hearing Tuesday, with critics asking whether it disproportionately hurts young people and minorities.

 

Families fear losing disability services

Families already coping with cuts to programs for their disabled relatives are keeping a nervous eye on Tallahassee as legislators meet today to address a gaping shortfall in the state budget.

 

Talk is cheap

Lawmakers should face reality

Lawmakers assembling here today in special session are faced with trying to fix what might not “be broke,” to reverse a folksy well-worn adage of Southern politicians.

 

Longtime official named new head of state revenue agency

A longtime official at the Florida Department of Revenue was named Tuesday to head the agency, which is responsible for state tax collections.

 

Rep. Kiar draws GOP challenge for seat

Less than one year after toppling a Republican incumbent, Democratic state Rep. Martin Kiar of Davie has drawn another challenge from the GOP.

 

Scrutiny for Insurers of the Aged

The top-ranking Republican on the Senate Finance Committee has asked 11 long-term care insurance companies to explain “troubling data” regarding how policyholders’ claims are handled and paid.

 

Mortgage crisis worsened because firms processing payments can’t renegotiate

A cancer diagnosis forced Lindsey Jennings to give up his government job. With less income, Jennings feared he might lose the home he and his wife, Pearl, built near Atlanta almost 20 years ago. So he asked for help.

 

Healthy living could save U.S. $1 trillion, study finds

Prevention and early detection could drastically reduce the incidence of chronic disease, researchers say.

The rapid rise in preventable chronic diseases — such as obesity and heart disease — over the last 20 years is hurting U.S. economic productivity, escalating treatment costs and causing unnecessary suffering, a new report says.

 

Global Warming Issue Heats Up NAIC

WASHINGTON —Consumer advocates told the nation’s insurance regulators at a meeting here that insurers should be made to disclose information related to climate change — a suggestion that industry representatives said is premature. 

 

Judge Dismises Corruption Charges Against Marsh, Brokers, Insurers

The same federal judge who early in September dismissed all federal antitrust charges against Marsh & McLennan Companies and a group of other brokers and insurers has now thrown out all related federal charges of racketeering as well.

 

Editorial: Just patching holes

Special session to address revenue shortfall highlights state’s outmoded tax system

After spectacular misfires on insurance and tax reform, the Legislature today starts its third special session this year.

 

Our view: Get with it, Guv

Insurance companies set new profit record but still want more Florida money

Don’t think Florida’s property insurance companies can insult you any more? Think again.

 

80-year-old doctor gets prison sentence for Medicare scheme
 
MIAMI (AP) — An 80-year-old doctor was sentenced to 18 months in prison for his part in a $7 million Medicare scam involving HIV patients, authorities said Tuesday.

 

NASCAR to replace Busch with Nationwide

NASCAR was finalizing a deal Tuesday night with Nationwide Insurance to sponsor its No. 2 series beginning in 2008, The Associated Press has learned.