Capitol to Courthouse Florida Insurance Report – Thursday, January 12, 2017
Jan 12, 2017
House Panel Stages Civilized Discussion of Assignment of Benefits Reform
The House Insurance & Banking Subcommittee held a calm, measured, largely drama-free discussion of Assignment of Benefits reform Wednesday. Michael Moline reports for FloridaPolitics.com.
· Debate Heats Up Over Controversial Property Insurance Claims
State of Florida Says Two Thirds of Flood Claims in St. Johns County Have Been Closed
A report from the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation says more than 80 percent of the Insurance Claims related to Hurricane Matthew in St. Johns County are closed. Stuart Khorfage reports for the St. Augustine Record.
Walking in America Dangerous—Especially in Florida
Eight of the ten most dangerous places in the U.S. to be a Pedestrian are in Florida, according to a Study released today. NPR.org’s Laurel Wamsley reports for WMFE.org.
Senator Brandes: “This is The Year For Ride-Sharing in Florida”
House, Senate Bill Sponsors seek Limited Regulation of Ride-Hailing App Companies, but Taxi Industry and Cities want Rules, Oversight. Daniel Ducassi reports for Politico Florida.
Florida Lawmakers Get Bad News About Medicaid Payment Error
A Top Florida Health Official briefed Lawmakers Wednesday about a Medicaid Payment Error that is expected to force the State to shell out $75.1 Million. THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA’s Jim Saunders reports via SayfieReview.com.
Senior Sheds Interim Label as Florida AHCA Secretary
Justin Senior was named as Secretary of the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration, after serving as Interim Secretary for nearly four months, according to Governor Rick Scott’s Office. THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA reports via News4Jax.com.
The Seibels Bruce Group, Inc., an Insurance Services Provider of Business Process outsourcing (BPO) Solutions, is pleased to announce the appointment of Ron Giomi to Vice President of Litigation and Liability Claims within the Claims Division of the Company, Seibels Claims Solutions, Inc.
Patients, Doctors Get Green Light For Medical Marijuana
Patients who qualify for Medical Marijuana under a Voter-Approved Constitutional Amendment can start purchasing cannabis treatments in as little as 90 days, according to the State’s Top Pot Cop. THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA’s Dara Kam reports via the Daily Commercial.
Florida Senate Begins Weighing Negron’s Water Plan
Florida already has enough land for water storage south of Lake Okeechobee, the Head of the South Florida Water Management District said Wednesday as Lawmakers began to ponder a $2.4 Billion Water Redirection Proposal intended to reduce toxic algae blooms on the east and west coasts. THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA’s Jim Turner reports via SayfieReview.com.
· Septic Tanks a Red Herring? Wait For The Real Science Guy, Senators
Red-Light Camera Law Faces Repeal This Year
With crashes at intersections that have red-light cameras on the rise, Florida Lawmakers could Repeal the State’s Red-Light Camera Law entirely. Dan Sweeney reports for the Sun-Sentinel.
Florida Paid Private Prison Operator $16 Million Too Much, Legislator’s Audit Says
For the past several years, Florida Prison Officials have used an opaque pricing scheme that inflated payments to a private prison company operating Lake City Correctional Facility, the Miami Herald’s Mary Ellen Klas reports.
House Speaker Eyes Local Tourism Boards’ Finances Next
Fresh off successfully pushing for more transparency for the State’s Tourism Marketing Firm, House Speaker Richard Corcoran, R-Land O’Lakes, is looking to dive into the finances of Local Tourism Boards, too. The Orlando Sentinel’s Gray Rohrer reports.
Florida Still Leads U.S. In Foreclosures
Florida accounted for about 12 percent of all the completed foreclosures nationally in the past year. John Hielscher reports for the Sarasota Herald-Tribune.
Drunk Teen in Wal-Mart Shows Why Florida Needs Wall Between Liquor, Grocery Stores
Florida Lawmakers are likely to face another Campaign to Repeal State Law requiring the wall of separation between liquor and grocery stores, FloridaPolitics.com Publisher Peter Schorsch notes.
Insurers Object to Workers’ Comp Reform Proposal in Illinois
Insurance Industry Lobbying Groups are speaking out against a Proposed Amendment to an Illinois Statute that would give Insurance Regulators in that State more control over Workers’ Compensation Rates, Insurance Journal reports.
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