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
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
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
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
A 2012 contract with a West Palm Beach law firm was billed as helping state-run insurer Citizens better handle sinkhole lawsuits, but records show a third fewer cases were settled in 2013 and average monthly litigation costs more than doubled. “It appears they are charging us more while doing less,” said state