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Medical Malpractice Reform Would Install 'Patient's Compensation System'

December 15, 2011 - 6:00pm

Years of medical-malpractice reforms have begun to rein in insurance rates for Florida physicians, but those benefits haven't trickled down to patients, a new study finds.

"Florida surgeons and physicians have seen an average [cost] decline of approximately 8 percent. However, there is no mechanism in place to mandate a reduction in the patients' health-care costs when providers realize savings," states a study commissioned by the James Madison Institute.

Weekly Roundup: Medicaid Reform, FAMU, Jobs

Jim Saunders News Service of Florida

December 15, 2011 - 6:00pm

The first step is done. Now, Florida officials will try to convince the federal government that they should be able to remake the Medicaid system statewide.

The Obama administration this week gave long-awaited approval to Florida's extension of a pilot program that requires most Medicaid beneficiaries in five counties to enroll in managed-care plans. The decision was a victory for Republican leaders who ultimately want to put beneficiaries statewide into HMOs and other types of managed care.

Flags at Half-Staff Saturday in Polk, Levy Counties for Lakeland Soldier

Submitted by Anonymous on December 16, 2011 - 2:47pm

State and national flags will be flown at half-staff at the Capitol and outside the county courthouses in Polk and Levy counties on Saturday in honor of Army specialist Ryan M. Lumley of Lakeland.

Lumley, 21, was one of three soldiers killed on Dec. 3 in an explosion in the Wardak Province, Afghanistan, as part of Operation Enduring Freedom.

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Mitt Romney and Newt Gingrich Continue to Build Teams in South Carolina

Kevin Derby

December 15, 2011 - 6:00pm

The two leading candidates in the race for the Republican presidential nomination -- former Gov. Mitt Romney of Massachusetts and former U.S. House Speaker Newt Gingrich -- added to their teams in South Carolina on Friday, unveiling major endorsements.

Ron Paul Looks to Break Through in Iowa

Kevin Derby

December 15, 2011 - 6:00pm

U.S. Rep. Ron Paul (R-TX) | Credit: Frontpage - Shutterstock

With little more than two weeks to go until Iowa Republicans kick off the procession of states that will determine the GOP nominee to challenge President Barack Obama in 2012, U.S. Rep. Ron Paul of Texas is starting to raise some eyebrows with his campaign in the Hawkeye State.

As Florida Moves Toward Holidays, Jobless Rate Lowest Since May 2009

Jim Turner

December 15, 2011 - 6:00pm

Credit: Patryk Kosmider - Shutterstock | resoomay.com

With holiday and seasonal hiring in full swing, Floridas unemployment dropped to 10 percent in November, down from 10.3 percent in October, the Department of Economic Opportunity reported Friday.

The latest rate is the lowest for the Sunshine State in 31 months and the DEO notes the number represents a 2 percentage point drop since Gov. Rick Scott took office.

Unemployment Down to 10 percent across Florida

Submitted by Anonymous on December 16, 2011 - 10:06am

With holiday and seasonal hiring in full swing, Floridas unemployment dropped to 10 percent in November, down from 10.3 percent in October, the Department of Economic Opportunity reported Friday.

The latest rate is the lowest for the Sunshine State in 31 months and the Department of Economic Opportunity notes the number represents a 2 percentage-point drop since Gov. Rick Scott took office.

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Nikki Haley Backs Mitt Romney for President

Submitted by Kevin Derby on December 16, 2011 - 8:18am

On Friday, former Gov. Mitt Romney of Massachusetts unveiled a major endorsement of his bid for the Republican presidential nomination -- Gov. Nikki Haley of South Carolina. South Carolina will be third up in the procession of states that will determine the GOP nominee behind Iowa and New Hampshire.

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Sarah Palin, Mike Huckabee and Glenn Beck Cited in Santorum Ad

Submitted by Kevin Derby on December 16, 2011 - 8:12am

Republican presidential candidate former U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum of Pennsylvania launched a new commercial running in Iowa -- and bringing up the names of prominent conservatives Mike Huckabee, Glenn Beck and Sarah Palin. None of those three conservative favorites has backed Santorum.

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Putnam to Push for More Nuclear, Renewables in 2012

Jim Turner

December 15, 2011 - 6:00pm

Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam

The state needs to be less reliant on natural gas for its energy, especially when the majority of that source of power comes through just two pipelines from the Gulf Coast, Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam said.

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