Category: Headlines

Extended Warranties Warrant a Closer Look

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

Fact-Checking Rubio and Scott on ACA Claims

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

Consumer Wise: Are extended warranties worth the extra cost?

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

Senate TeleHealth Bill Extends To Out-Of- State Docs, Nurses And Pharmacists

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,

Tampa Bay Times Editorial: Health care landmark

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

Telemedicine Bill Moves Forward

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

Senate committee OKs tougher penalties for texting and causing fatal crashes

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

Florida Homeowners Insurance ‘Bill of Rights’ Slowed by Fraud Measure

Florida’s chief financial officer went to the Legislature this spring with a simple request: grant additional protections to customers dealing with property insurance companies. But the push by Jeff Atwater is in serious jeopardy. That’s because insurers, such as State Farm Florida, are only willing to accept the added protections

Measures Rise and Fall as Legislature Hits Midpoint

TALLAHASSEE — The 2014 Florida Legislature reaches its midpoint on Wednesday. Lawmakers are moving forward on a $75 billion state budget for the fiscal year that begins July 1. They have already sent Gov. Rick Scott a bill cutting motorist fees by $400 million. Some bills are already dead, including an

Fla. Senate passes flood insurance bill

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — The Florida Senate is backing a bill to entice private insurance companies to sell flood policies in the state that’s the most vulnerable to storm surge. The Senate on Wednesday unanimously passed the bill (SB 542) sponsored by Sen. Jeff Brandes, a Republican from St. Petersburg. It heads