Insurance
HB 659 & SB 1036-Relating to Automobile Insurance
On Thursday, March 10th, HB 659, relating to Automobile Insurance, by Rep. David Santiago (R-Deltona) was substituted for its Senate companion, SB 1036, by Senator Jeff Brandes (R-St. Petersburg) read for a third time on the Senate floor and passed by a vote of 34 yeas to 5 nays.
HB 659 makes numerous compliance related changes to the automobile insurance statutes, and also repeals the prohibition on the use of a single zip code as a rating territory, so long as the use of a single zip code as a territory meets certain actuarial requirements. In addition, the bill requires the Division of Insurance Fraud to study the efficacy of mandatory pre insurance inspections on used vehicles in certain counties.
HB 659 will now go to the desk of Governor Scott to be signed into law.
AIF supports smart, targeted reforms that help keep the insurance markets up to date and with the times.
Health Care
On Thursday, March 10th, HB 7087, relating to telehealth, by Rep. Chris Sprowls (R-Clearwater) was sent back to the Senate to be considered as amended by the House. The Senate took up HB 7087 and concurred with amendment 533707 offered by Rep. Chris Sprowls (R-Clearwater). HB 7087 was then amended by the Senate and passed unanimously by a vote of 39 yeas to 0 nays.
Senator Aaron Bean (R- Jacksonville) filed an amendment 877884 to amendment 533707 that keeps in place an Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) study on the use and coverage of telehealth, and adds a hospital member to the Telehealth Advisory Council (council) comprised of professionals across the medical field. This amendment will also put a new time line in place for how often the council meets. Instead of every three years the council will meet to review its findings every 18 months.
HB 7087 must now return to the House for its consideration as amended. AIF anticipates HB 7087 will pass through the House tomorrow and go to the Governor’s desk to be signed into law.
AIF supports legislation that permits an unfettered role for telehealth services that will allow our citizens access to better quality care at lower costs.
