By Jack Hebert, FCA Government Relations Director and Paul Lambert, FCA General Counsel
Tuesday, 06 March 2012
Tallahassee – Slightly before 6 p.m., the Florida Senate considered on second reading CS/CS/SB 1860, the thoughtful, better PIP bill. Sen. Negron (R-Palm City) successfully resisted pressure from the Governor’s staff to limit chiropractic participation in PIP to only follow-up treatments of patients initially diagnosed by an MD, DO or hospital owned facility physician. Sen. Negron sponsored an amendment specifically including chiropractors among those physicians able to make the initial diagnosis. The FCA continues to be very appreciative of Sen. Negron’s successful efforts to recognize the status of chiropractic physicians equal to that of MD’s and DO’s.
Senate Bill 1860, the PIP bill sponsored by Senator Joe Negron (R-Palm City) has been placed on the Senate special order calendar for consideration as early as tomorrow, Tuesday, March 6th. The bill is a radical departure from the slash-and-burn product passed by the House that would eliminate access to chiropractic. Sen. Negron's proposal is a much more thoughtful and comprehensive product which actually addresses fraud and works to reduce premiums and protect patient choice. SB 1860, in its current form, is supported by the FCA and coalition partners. Amendments to the bill can be offered on the floor of the Senate at the last minute, however, giving us no opportunity to inform you in time for to contact your Senator about such amendments.
By Jack Hebert, Gov.Relations Dir.; Paul Lambert, Gen.Counsel; and Kim Driggers, Asst.Gen.Counsel
Friday, 02 March 2012
Tallahassee – A few hours ago the Florida House considered on final consideration CS/CS/HB 119, the very unfavorable bill that proposes to replace PIP with a new emergency care coverage now rebranded as “Medical Care Coverage.” Largely along party lines, the final vote was 85-30. To see how your Representative voted, click here:
By Jack Hebert, FCA Government Relations Director and Paul Lambert, FCA General Counsel
Thursday, 01 March 2012
Tallahassee – Slightly before 6 p.m. the Florida House considered on second reading CS/HB 119, the very unfavorable bill that proposes to replace PIP with a new emergency care coverage. Several procedural and technical amendments were adopted, however consideration on two other amendments were delayed until the bill is next considered and debated before a vote is taken on final passage, presumably as early as tomorrow.
By Jack Hebert, FCA Government Relations Director and Paul Lambert, FCA General Counsel
Thursday, 01 March 2012
At any time, the full Florida House will be considering CS/HB119 – the very bad PIP/No-fault reform bill that in its present form completely eliminates access to chiropractic through an emergency room-based system. Your help is needed immediately to stop an amendment that is being falsely labeled as pro-chiropractic.
Each
legislative session presents the opportunity for many differing
interests to provide their commentary on legislative activities in
Tallahassee, often providing suggestions on how to best influence your
Senators and Representatives. As you are well aware, your FCA Lobby
Team quite often requests your participation in grassroots efforts to
contact your legislators to share your views. We depend on – and
appreciate – your prompt and thoughtful action.
By Jack Hebert, FCA Government Relations Director and Paul Lambert, FCA General Counsel
Wednesday, 29 February 2012
Wednesday, February 29, 2012, 7:30pm, Tallahassee – Moments ago, the Senate Budget Committee considered and passed SB1860 by Sen. Joe Negron (R-Palm City) proposing a variety of reforms to Florida’s no-fault automobile insurance system. The Negron proposal is the preferred bill currently moving through the Legislature, in stark contrast to the House bill which continues to be anti-consumer, anti-chiropractic and pro-insurance.
The onerous House PIP bill, HB119 by Rep. Boyd, has been placed on the special order calendar for full House consideration as early as tomorrow afternoon. Thank you to all who have sent messages to House members and enlisted others to do so. While it has appeared that House Republicans have been “locked down” to vote for this measure when it has been considered in various committees, there is a possibility that there may not be a “lockdown” for the floor vote. So, please continue your contacts to all House members as first suggested in the FCA poster several weeks ago.
Yesterday at 6:45pm, the Senate Budget Committee temporarily passed Senate Bill 1860 by Senator Negron, so that consideration of the bill could continue in a subsequent meeting which began at 2:30pm today. To all who have contacted members of this committee, thank you for your efforts.
At 3:45 this afternoon, the Senate Budget Committee will turn its attention to Senate Bill 1860 by Sen. Joe Negron (R-Palm City) which proposes a number of changes to Florida's PIP/No-fault insurance system. The bill is a radical departure from the slash-and-burn product currently moving through the House. Sen. Negron's proposal is a much more thoughtful and comprehensive product which actually addresses fraud and works to reduce premiums and protect patient choice. SB 1860, in its current form, is supported by the FCA and coalition partners.
Of concern is a very bad 146-page amendment which was filed hours ago on Monday evening, Amendment #344314 by Senator Richter, which would conform SB 1860 more closely to the bad House PIP bill by Rep. Boyd.
PIP/No-Fault 