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Digest

In brief

By TIMES WIRES
Published August 30, 2006

Flying above the rest of the fast-food crowd

Chick-fil-A is a breed apart with its philosophy of treating customers and employees with the kind of respect that inspires deep loyalty.

No deal reached yet between HCA, United

Though talks were continuing Tuesday evening, representatives of HCA and United Healthcare had not reached agreement on contract terms as a midnight deadline approached. If the negotiations are unsuccessful, HCA's nine hospitals in the Tampa Bay area will no longer be part of United's network effectively immediately. A spokesman for United, which has nearly 500,000 members in the Tampa Bay area, said treatment at HCA hospitals will still be covered in an emergency. For more information on the HCA and United contract battle, see links.tampabay.com.

State workers' comp rates could decline

State regulators on Tuesday proposed lowering workers' compensation insurance rates an average 13.3 percent statewide next year. If approved, the proposal would produce estimated savings of more than $400-million for Florida employers. Regulators said the decline was due to fewer claims and a drop in the costs of claims. A hearing on the filing will be in September or October, and changes would go into effect Jan. 1.

Settlement to bring state $10.4-million

Florida's Medicaid program will get $10.4-million under a national settlement with drug manufacturer Schering-Plough Corp. Schering allegedly engaged in fraudulent pricing practices, improperly marketed a brain tumor drug for nonapproved uses and paid kickbacks to doctors who prescribed its medicines. The pricing scheme inflated the prices paid by Medicaid for several Schering drugs, including the allergy medication Claritin.

PBS&J accused of illegal contributions

Months after it revealed former executive Scott DeLoach misappropriated $36-million, engineering firm PBS&J is accused of illegally funneling money to political candidates. In a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, the company, which is relocating from Miami to Tampa, acknowledged it was under investigation. A federal grand jury, aided by the FBI, is inquiring if PBS&J, one of Florida's top highway contractors, reimbursed employees who contributed to political campaigns, thereby skirting $500 donor limits.

Google chief executive named to Apple board

Apple Computer Inc. said Tuesday that Google Inc. CEO Eric Schmidt is joining its board, adding another well-known name to the list of directors who oversee the management of Apple. Schmidt has become a multibillionaire and emerged as one of high technology's best-known leaders since Google named him chief executive in 2002.

[Last modified August 29, 2006, 22:59:29]