Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Michael MolineApril 3, 2017

The Senate Banking and Insurance Committee voted 7-1 Monday to approve legislation that would require workers’ compensation carriers to compete on price rather than propose premium levels through a common ratings agency, and that would allow workers to pay attorneys hourly rates if they take insurers to court. The ‘No” vote was by Sen. George Gainer, […]

Michael MolineJanuary 27, 2017

The group behind a 14.5 percent workers’ compensation premium can’t get around Florida’s Sunshine Law by arguing that a single individual worked on the matter, and not a full-fledged internal committee, an appellate brief argues. The law holds that meetings by such committees at rating organizations like the National Council on Compensation Insurance, or NCCI, […]

A.G. GancarskiJanuary 24, 2017

The phrase “you better shop around” applies to love, according to at least one old song. And a Florida House bill would apply that to medical procedures as well. On Tuesday, Rep. Paul Renner filed House Bill 449 (the “Patient Savings Act”) in the Florida House. The bill would create a “shared savings incentive program” starting on Jan. 1, […]

Peter SchorschDecember 1, 2016

This Thanksgiving, a Leon County judge gave trial lawyers one more reason to be thankful. But that may not last long. On Nov. 23 – just one day before Thanksgiving — Circuit Judge Karen Gievers put the brakes on a 14.5 percent workers’ compensation rate increase, scheduled to go into effect Dec. 1. Gievers ruled […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterNovember 28, 2016

Sen. Jeff Brandes will once again file legislation to repeal the state’s no-fault auto insurance requirement, saying it’s time for Florida to move away from the troubled system. The St. Petersburg Republican said repealing the state’s Personal Injury Protection (PIP) system will be one of his top priorities during the 2017 legislative session. The decision […]

Jim RosicaOctober 6, 2016

As expected, state insurance regulators have issued a final order jacking up the price of worker’s compensation insurance by nearly 15 percent. The order was published Thursday. The decision approves the National Council on Compensation Insurance (NCCI) request “for an overall combined statewide average rate increase of 14.5 percent,” the Office of Insurance Regulation said in a […]

Staff ReportsOctober 5, 2016

NFIB/Florida Executive Director Bill Herrle on Wednesday criticized workers’ compensation insurers for pushing through a 14.5 percent rate increase this month. Herrle called the increase “massive” and said it would “undoubtedly hurt small businesses by threatening their ability to keep their doors open and employ Floridians.” The National Federation of Independent Business calls itself “the nation’s leading small-business advocacy group,” according […]

Jim RosicaSeptember 20, 2016

Florida Insurance Commissioner David Altmaier won’t commit to an answer on Obamacare being a long-term solution to the Sunshine State’s health insurance needs. When asked Tuesday whether the insurance regime set up by the Affordable Care Act (ACA) could be salvaged, Altmaier said “that will take a little bit more conversation; I don’t know that I’m ready […]

Michael MolineAugust 18, 2016

Don’t blame us for rising premiums, administrators of Florida’s high-risk property insurance pool told state regulators Thursday — blame lawyers and unscrupulous building contractors. And a bunch of burst pipes and overflowing washing machines in South Florida. John Rollins, chief risk officer for Citizens Property Insurance Corp., pointed to an increased use since 2013 of […]

Michael MolineAugust 18, 2016

A public hearing this week represented a major battle in the war over a proposed major increase in workers’ compensation insurance premiums, but the fighting is by no means over. The Office of Insurance Regulation will accept public comments on the proposed 19.6 percent hike until close of business Aug. 23. “While there is no […]

Tag: Office of Insurance Regulation
(L-R) Michael Hartline, Adam Hasner and John Volin. Images via Florida State University, Florida Atlantic University and University of Maine.

Senate panel OKs workers’ comp bill opposed by insurance industry

NCCI, state insurance office can’t evade Sunshine Law, brief argues

‘Patient Savings Act’ filed in Florida House

Workers comp rate hike ruling gives trial lawyers reason to cheer. But how long will it last?

Repealing PIP, implementing Amendment 4 top priorities for Jeff Brandes in 2017

State issues final order for workers’ comp cost increase

Bill Herrle: Worker’s comp hike hurts small biz

David Altmaier unsure on Obamacare’s future in Florida

Dodgy contractors share blame for high rates, last-chance insurer says

No deadline for decision on big workers’ comp hike