- "Why doesn't Florida regulate the insurance industry as strictly as California does?"
- "Why are Florida's doctors letting the insurance industry, whose interests are definitely not the same as theirs, dictate their lobbying agenda?"
- "Does the Florida Medical Association's $500,000 "endorsement fee" from the largest malpractice underwriter cloud its judgment?"
- "Where is the proof that an inflexible $250,000 limit on noneconomic damages - or any limit, for that matter - would provide rate relief to physicians and hospitals?"
"Malpractice Deform" On The Way - "The Florida Senate has agreed to take up a medical malpractice insurance measure today that includes a cap of $500,000 on noneconomic damages, a concession that Senate leaders say they hope will move them closer to a compromise with the governor and the House. But Senate leaders said they still aren't convinced they will agree with their House counterparts by Thursday, the end of the special session. It's likely Gov. Jeb Bush will have to order them back to Tallahassee to find a way to bring down the cost of insurance premiums for doctors, said Sen. Tom Lee, R-Brandon." See "Senate to debate medical malpractice award cap". See also "Legislature closes gap on medical malpractice", "Senators realize they must wheel, deal", " "Senate bends on reform" and "Senate panel passes $500,000 damages cap". Like the regular session this year and last, the Senate talks a big game and flops in the end; the extreme right wingers prevail again.
"Malpractice Parties" Going Strong - "Gov. Jeb Bush says he may keep calling lawmakers back to the state Capitol if they don't deliver this week on his plan to fix medical malpractice insurance. What could make House members any happier? More special sessions just mean more chances to shake down doctors for campaign money." See "Malpractice parties". It truly is "A shameful spectacle". See also "A happy confluence".
Senate Approach To Malpractice Reform Is "A Rare Effort To Treat The Cause, Not Just Symptom" -Troxler.
Been There, Done That . . . It Does Not Work - "As Florida legislators meet in special session this week to consider limiting certain jury awards against doctors and hospitals, another industry is warning that a similar measure enacted for its benefit two years ago hasn't worked." See "Effect of lawsuit caps disputed." See "Effect of lawsuit caps disputed".
Second Primary On Way Out? "The state would again do away with its second primary next year and will be eligible for millions of dollars in federal money under a bill the House approved Tuesday." See "House passes elections bill"
The New Bob Graham - "Like Clark Kent in the phone booth, Bob Graham has undergone a radical transformation in the race for national recognition - so much that lifelong friends don't always recognize him." See "Graham Takes Off The Gloves".
Kids Don't Vote - Additional DCF "cutbacks drew criticism from the advocacy group Voices for Florida's Children. Jack Levine, president of the Tallahassee-based organization, said the cuts were another sign of 'underfunding and understaffing' that would lead to a `funeral dirge for abused and neglected children.'" See "DCF cutting 163 positions". "The layoffs take effect July 1. Another round of DCF cuts that same day will eliminate attorneys representing hundreds of DCF child clients around the state. It could affect roughly 145 children in Central Florida, advocates said." See "DCF lays off 85, eliminates 78 jobs".