TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Following a Florida Supreme Court decision that struck down caps on certain awards in medical malpractice lawsuits, the members of a 2002 task force that supported those caps are calling for a constitutional amendment that would place the caps on solid footing. The task force appointed by then-Gov. Jeb Bush recommended a cap for individuals on
After years of historic storms – and historic clean-up costs – flood insurance has become a part of the national conversation. Florida residents are no exception. Recent estimates indicate that Citizens Property Insurance Corporation – Florida’s state-run property insurance company, which offers subsidized rates to members – falls at least $1.5 billion short
The purpose of this memorandum is to remind insurers authorized to write property & casualty or health insurance in Florida of the requirements of Section 624.128, Florida Statutes (2013), the crime victims exemption, and the Florida Crimes Compensation Act. The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation is reminding insurers of the
Do extended service contracts warrant your attention and your dollars? It’s a question that comes up time and again. Seemingly whenever we buy anything of value, a salesperson suggests that we should buy an extended warranty, sometimes called a service contract. There are three common types: extended warranties for consumer
Right around the 4th anniversary of its passage, the deadline to sign up for health insurance under the Affordable Care Act — also known as Obamacare — has come and gone. While the White House has been celebrating the number of sign-ups — a number that’s in dispute — critics, including many Republicans, claim the law is fatally
If you’re in the market for a big ticket item, you’ll probably get asked if you want to buy an extended warranty at the checkout. Kim and Larry Wiezycki opted not to spend the extra money when they bought the appliances for their newly remodeled kitchen. The couple noticed big problems with
Florida lawmakers have been weighing how to regulate telemedicine—generating debate between doctors’ groups and other healthcare providers. The House has been moving its telehealth proposal along, but the Senate version of the bill had its first hearing Tuesday. There are several different bills on telemedicine for lawmakers to consider, but when it comes to the Senate’s plans,
Finally there is a moment to celebrate and embrace rather than defend and avoid. More than 7 million Americans signed up for health coverage through the Affordable Care Act exchanges, meeting the original goal and deserving of President Barack Obama’s celebration Tuesday in the White House Rose Garden. The surge in
Despite concerns from some lawmakers about out-of-state physicians, a Senate committee Tuesday approved a bill (SB 1646) aimed at increasing the use of telemedicine in Florida. The Senate Communications, Energy and Public Utilities Committee voted 6-2 to approve the bill, sponsored by Sen. Aaron Bean, R-Fernandina Beach. Bean and other backers of expanded telemedicine
TALLAHASSEE | A Senate committee Tuesday approved a bill (SB 1078) to toughen penalties for people who cause fatal accidents while texting behind the wheel. The bill, approved by the Senate Communications, Energy and Public Utilities Committee, is based on a texting-while-driving ban that lawmakers passed last year. Drivers who cause fatal accidents while violating