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Politics
Legislators scramble to save PIP
Hopes are dimming by the day that auto injury coverage can be extended before expiring Oct. 1.
By JENNIFER LIBERTO, Times Staff Writer
Published September 13, 2007
TALLAHASSEE - When it comes to the demise of the state's no-fault automobile insurance system,apparentlyit ain't over till it's over. With the looming Oct. 1 sunset of "PIP" laws mandating drivers carry $10,000 auto injury coverage (which covers medical expenses no matter who caused a crash), a flurry of last-minute, behind-the-scenes salvage efforts are under way. This week, the governor's office and a small group of House Republicans and House Democrats have organized new efforts. The chances of saving the state's no-fault system grow dimmer each day, especially now that a special session for this month has been called off. Yet, on Wednesday, the governor's office invited 30 to 40 people from industries affected by the state's no-fault laws to an all-day "pow-wow" in hopes of finding common ground. No solution emerged, but the groups opened a more frank dialogue that could lead to a compromise by the spring session. "The governor is addressing PIP and trying to facilitate discussion and develop an agreement," said Chris Kise, the governor's chief legal counsel. Kise added the governor is also encouraged to hear that the House and Senate "remain engaged on the issue." Meanwhile, this week, a small group of House Republicans started counting heads to see if they have enough Republicans willing to join House Democrats to pass a blanket one-year extension of the state's no-fault laws, until the Legislature returns in the spring to try to fix it again. The idea is to take that list to Gov. Charlie Crist, who has said publicly that he's unwilling to call a special session on auto insurance unless he sees a consensus. "At the end of the day, this all comes down to counting noses," said Rep. Kevin Ambler of Lutz, who is working with Rep. Julio Robaina of Miami and Rep. Bill Galvano of Bradenton to save PIP. Meanwhile, House Democrats have flirted with the idea of trying to force a special session using a rare procedure. First, 20 percent of the chambers would formally ask the secretary of state to survey the entire Legislature; then, if three-fifths of the membership say they're willing to return to Tallahassee for a special session on a particular issue, a special session is called. Usually, the governor, by himself, or the House speaker and Senate president jointly call a special session. Robaina said he wouldn't be willing to agree to such a poll, because "it circumvents leadership." He is floating proposed legislation that looks identical to one that was passed by the Legislature but vetoed by Gov. Jeb Bush in 2006.
[Last modified September 12, 2007, 21:33:50]
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Comments on this article
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by gene
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10/02/07 12:37 AM
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pip insurance is a waste of money to all drivers in florida. we have been burdened with this for years. we never had pip in wisconsin and we all managed without it. that's why you have medical insurance. people in florida need to learn how to drive.
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by just an observer
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09/18/07 09:54 AM
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for those who think insurance won't go down...check out colorado, they got rid of this insane idea of PIP and their rates are down 30%. getting rid of pip is good for everyone but the lawyers and I don;t think anyone would be sad to see those leave
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by Diana
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09/16/07 11:51 PM
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PIP totally ruined me. Medicare won't pay after I got slammed into by a van as a pedestrian out of the state. Pip doesn't pay if it happens out of state & not in your car. Ins of party who ran into me won't pay. I am now without ANY ins thanks PIP
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by The Maestro
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09/15/07 01:41 AM
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Jim, the more appropriate question is: Which chiro, clinic, trial lawyer or fraud-feasor do you work for? The only people who think PIP must be saved are those whose SOULS more likely need saving after they've screwed Floridians forever - fess up!
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by Cris
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09/14/07 11:09 PM
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SAVE PIP. If not, we will all pay more for car insurance, health insurance and taxes.
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by Neville
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09/14/07 10:08 PM
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Those of you who want PIP to go are just plain stupid. Auto insurance will not go down, it will go up, for those of us smart enough to have it. If it is good for State Farm, it is not good for us.
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by AX
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09/14/07 04:42 PM
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Jim 16/month who are you insured with?
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by Jim
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09/14/07 09:36 AM
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No-Fault/PIP MUST be saved. It is the biggest (and only) bargain in the insurance arena. For an average of $16.00 per month, no-fault provides payment for medical care, transportation, work loss, household services, and funeral costs. SAVE IT NOW !
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by Joe
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09/14/07 12:04 AM
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teri, i don't know where you are getting your information from, but my auto insurance is going DOWN without PIP on Oct 1st.
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by John
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09/14/07 12:01 AM
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Insurance rates likely will go down after Oct 1st w/o PIP. It's about time this boondoggle rest in peace. (38 states do not have a mandatory PIP)
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by The Maestro
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09/13/07 11:37 PM
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If PIP were defensible, legislators would've saved it during regular session. It's so abused even legislators owned by chiros, hospitals, and attorneys couldn't keep a straight face and extend it. Sorry Ballard, you lose, but you still get paid, huh?
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by Mary
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09/13/07 09:04 PM
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1:32 - These special sessions cost around $40-$50k per day. These yucks try to tell us all to live within our means then have no problem wasting money on matters they should have taken care of during the regular session.
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by Dan
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09/13/07 08:50 PM
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It's a shame that the auto insurance industries $ can buy the speaker of the house and other legislators opinions while the consumer sits in the dark unaware of what is happening to them. Spend $ to elininate fraud in the high % areas of the state.
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by yo
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09/13/07 08:20 PM
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New special session 2 days after sunset. Does this mean a possible PIP rescesitation?
The sun must set before it rises again.
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by Michelle
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09/13/07 06:53 PM
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Yes Bill, heaven forbid hospitals, clinics, etc expect to be paid for caring for patients!
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by MC
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09/13/07 06:51 PM
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Yes, your auto insurance rates will go down without PIP, but health insurance rates will go up...as will costs throughout the health care system as a result of more uninsured in our emergency rooms
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by AC
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09/13/07 05:49 PM
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I say let us have the choice to OPT out. I thought that this was America; where is our choice to choose what we want. If a guy on a motorcycle can ride without a helmet, then why can't we drive without PIP. STATE FARM, ALLSTATE, ALREADY HAVE $$$$$$$
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by Miike
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09/13/07 05:10 PM
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Republican legislators must recognize that many are going out in the next election. Not only for the failure of PIP but for everything else. Nothing can save their jobs now so why make any changes?
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by Tom
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09/13/07 05:01 PM
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PIP is a joke. The chirpractor hacks abuse it so much it has cost everyone money.
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by AX
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09/13/07 04:14 PM
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In the immortal words of Billy Madison "you've gotta get out there and find that *&^% dog"
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by ms
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09/13/07 03:39 PM
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Let PIP go. My insurance co has already reduced my rates by $60 per month knowing PIP was going away. If you want to keep it then have a way for people with good health insurance opt out of the coverage.
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by RR
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09/13/07 03:18 PM
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SAVE our no-fault system! Step up Governor Crist and House reps. House leadership's agenda is not good public policy and I know enough of you see that.
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by Teri
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09/13/07 02:37 PM
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PIP pays wages, Rx reimbursement and mileage-health coverage does not-Better Up the UM limits on your policy-cancel the Medical Pmts coverage-it doesn't cover wages either..and by the way-most companies have already applied for rate increases..
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by George
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09/13/07 02:00 PM
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What people fail to understand is that the PIP staute was written with consumers in mind, their general Heath Ins. will never cover them as well as PIP. Combine that with subragation (health insurance obataining reimbursement from settlement) and it
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by John
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09/13/07 01:34 PM
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PIP is a waste of time and money. There is no eveidence that the lack of PIP causes insurance rates to go up. I have great medical and don't need PIP - I agree, let us opt out.
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by Bob
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09/13/07 01:32 PM
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Can someone look into how much these "special" sessions cost the taxpayers? It is my undersanding that there are additional costs to these sessions for items not addressed in the normal sessions. Consideringtheir trackrecord,can we really aford this
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by JD
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09/13/07 11:50 AM
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Another point: when a p.i. case settles, health insurance MUST be paid BACK whatever they paid for your injuries. PIP benefits do NOT have to be paid back. This means less of the settlment to injured parties and more to ins. companies. SAVE PIP
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by Neville
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09/13/07 11:50 AM
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If PIP goes away: auto insurance premiums go up, health insurance premiums go up, federal & state taxes go up (medicare & medicaid), bankruptcy filings go up, courts get more clogged...gee we have brilliant representation in tally.
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by Matt
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09/13/07 11:42 AM
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So the insurance co.s are losing money and putting pressure on the legislature to keep in place their monopoly?!?! Kevin Ambler, Conservative, small goverment representative?? Please!! It's paying back those who got him elected!!
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by spicoli
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09/13/07 11:41 AM
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Pip is a joke. It started by greedy insruance companies to take away rights. They underestimated the greed of the chiros and scumbag drs. and now want to bail out. If u r negligent you pay if not you dont that is the law without pip and makes sense.
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by josh
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09/13/07 11:40 AM
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my insurance provider offers a medical policy to replace pip when it expires on my policy. Does yours?
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by Sam
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09/13/07 11:32 AM
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I might have some faith in our system if I could find one honest Florida Representative,Senator or Govenor. To date I have no faith. Will an honest Representative,Senator or Govenor please stand up..... As I expected,they all remain seated. How sad.
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by Tom
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09/13/07 11:29 AM
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I hope our state congress continues PIP. If the insurance companies want to see it go away, then it's a good thing to hold onto.
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by Sam
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09/13/07 11:20 AM
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It is clear from watching the legislature this year that they only care about those who will give them power & money for re-election. They promise the consumer one thing and will take it away if a special interest group gives them enough money!
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by JD
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09/13/07 11:16 AM
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LOSING PIP will mean MORE money for Lawyers. Lawyers don't get 1/3 of the PIP money now. That goes just to medical expenses/lost wages. Now, lawyers will get 1/3 of the entire settlment. Injured parties will suffer, not lawyers! Think!!!!
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