Capitol to Courthouse Headliners: Wednesday, April 7
Apr 7, 2010
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Blog: Crist threatens any bill that favors property insurers
Republican Gov. Charlie Crist just said he would veto any bill that favors the property insurance industry. That seems to spell certain doom for the bill that would let insurers raise rates without prior approval from the state.
Editorial: Higher rates, or ruin?
The “news” about hurricane insurance in Florida isn’t new. The only question is what will be done.
National States Insurance put into receivership in Missouri due to Florida policies
The company’s financial concerns resulted from sales of its long-term care policies in Florida, where, according to Huff, it underpriced its products, meaning it may be unable to pay claims on those policies.
Southwest Florida homebuyers grapple with glitch that put cloud over flood insurance
Amid the deluge of debates on health-care reform and banking regulations, Congress forgot about floods.
Florida says 5 more states challenge health overhaul
Five more U.S. states will join a Florida-led group of states in a collective lawsuit challenging President Barack Obama’s overhaul of the U.S. health care system, Florida’s attorney general said Wednesday.
Private companies would manage Florida Medicaid
Florida’s Medicaid system would be drastically revamped with nearly all patients getting managed care provided by private companies under legislation proposed Tuesday in the Florida House.
Florida shuts down Oakland Park pain clinic
Center owned by Integra Health is first to be closed for breaking new rules
Florida health officials stepped up their battle against pain pill abuse by shutting down an Oakland Park pain clinic Tuesday, the first location known to be closed under new state rules that began Jan. 1.
Crist, Seminole Tribe sign gambling deal that seems to offer winning hand for lawmakers
Gov. Charlie Crist, the Seminole tribe of Florida and once-reluctant lawmakers have signed off on a gambling deal guaranteed to bring at least $1 billion to the state over the next five years.
Crist Bucks GOP Leadership, Vetoes Bill to Lift Lid on Fundraising
Gov. Charlie Crist angered Republican legislative leaders Tuesday by vetoing a bill that would have resurrected their access to potent partisan fundraising machines known as leadership funds.
Florida House approves tax breaks for large boat buyers, back-to-school shoppers to spur economy
Tax breaks for yacht buyers, movie producers and back-to-school shoppers were included in a package of incentives Florida lawmakers approved Tuesday in hopes of sparking the state’s stagnant economy.
Everglades land deals and Big Sugar battles head to Florida Supreme Court
Land buying in the name of Everglades restoration already amassed more than 233,000 acres – twice the size of Fort Lauderdale, Miami and Tampa combined.
St. Petersburg-based Raymond James, Wells Fargo settle suit
Raymond James & Associates Inc. reached a confidential settlement with Wells Fargo Advisors LLC in a lawsuit involving alleged broker raids.
Florida’s jobless could have debit card option this fall
Florida residents drawing unemployment benefits will have the option of a debit card instead of direct deposit or a check beginning this fall, according to the state work force agency.
Florida contractors report heightened job prospects
Florida contractors reported an increase in the number of potential customers and projects in March, according to a first-ever survey by Associated Builders and Contractors Inc. for the state.
Florida Citrus Faces New Threat: Black Spot
Florida citrus growers already struggling with the costs of controlling the fatal citrus greening disease face a new economic threat from black spot, a fungal disease discovered last month in Immokalee.
First Commercial Bank of Florida issued 30-day notice
First Commercial Bank of Florida has been issued a 30-day notice to raise capital by the Federal Reserve.
Fed orders Bradenton First Banks to fix its finances
Federal regulators have slapped an enforcement order on First Banks Inc., the Missouri company that bought the failing Coast Bank of Bradenton in 2007.
University of Central Florida awarded $7.6 million for digital medical records system
The University of Central Florida’s College of Medicine has been awarded more than $7 million to build a regional electronic medical records system that promises to make health care more efficient and less costly.
Editorial: Cash-poor Florida can’t afford to subsidize retirees’ health care.
Democrats in the Florida House were gloating last week after Republicans voted to eliminate a health-insurance subsidy for retired public employees.
Editorial: Florida’s pension system in need of reform – soon
Florida officials proudly noted for years that the state’s public pension plan ran a surplus. But the fat days are over.
Three contenders, so far, challenge Florida U.S. Representative Stearns
Some observers claim incumbents in Washington might be an endangered species come November. Time will tell, but Republican U.S. Rep. Cliff Stearns, who not long ago appeared to be unopposed, has drawn a trio of contenders – including one from his own party.
Miami lawmaker takes hard line on exports to Cuba
Continuing his perennial campaign against the Castro regime, Miami Republican Rep. David Rivera wants to prohibit the state from distributing a “virtual stamp of approval” on goods being exported from Florida to Cuba.
Boeing’s tanker a potential $95 million impact to Florida
New aircraft featured in traveling display that stopped in capital
The Boeing Co. estimates that Florida will benefit from an estimated 1,900 total jobs with 14 suppliers and generate an estimated $95 million annual economic impact if the Boeing NewGen Tanker is selected as the U.S. Air Force’s next tanker aircraft, the company said Tuesday.
Medicare payments frozen for UnitedHealth, Humana
UnitedHealth Group Inc. and Humana Inc. are among the insurers who will receive the same payment rates in 2011 as this year for administering health plans for the elderly, according to rules issued by Medicare.
Massey opted against business interruption insurance: Filing
Massey Energy Co., owner of the mine in West Virginia where 25 people were killed after an explosion, opted against buying insurance for risks including business interruption, a company filing shows.
Rhode Island Officials Say Grants, Not Loans Needed for Floods
Several of Rhode Island’s elected officials said Monday they are pushing to secure federal grants instead of loans for hundreds of businesses trying to recover from the worst flooding in 200 years.
Insurers Should ‘Cherry Pick’ States, Conning Suggests
Personal lines insurers need to pay more attention than ever to many variables between states to determine where they can grow their business and make a profit, a research firm advises.
Marsh Unveils Online Client Service To Measure Insurers
Insurance broker Marsh announced a client service program that will allow customers to review, analyze and compare insurance companies online.
Multinationals and Money Laundering
As the international community steps up its efforts to fight money laundering, a number of countries are now requiring insurers to obtain additional information from their customers to screen out possible bad actors.
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