Florida women pay extra for health coverage
Health insurance costs Florida women as much as 52 percent more than men — up to $1,141 more on average each year —because of a gender gap that has existed for decades, a report said Monday. And that doesn't include the extra cost of maternity coverage. Florida is one of 39 states that allow insurers to charge different rates based on gender. [Source: South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
FloridaWorks deftly trying to link job openings and job seekers
Janet Braden said she felt like she had post-traumatic stress after losing her job last year as an office manager for the Alachua County teachers' union. Through a friend, she discovered FloridaWorks' CONNECT program, in which out-of-work professionals encourage each other in weekly meetings and get advice on their job search from human resources professionals. [Source: Gainesville Sun]
PIP reform hurts acupuncture, massage businesses
Lawmakers overhauled PIP this session the first time in nearly 40 years. Acupuncture and massage will not be reimbursed by insurance anymore. "In this one move, they've eliminated so many forms of treatment for these Floridians who are in serious pain," said Glen Kemp, owner of Performance Massage. For small business owners like Glen Kemp who is also a licensed massage therapist, it's a huge hit. [Source: ABC Action News]
Signs of recovery
Lake Apopka, Florida's fourth-largest lake, is a shallow, 30,000-acre giant that at points stretches for more than 12 miles north to south and nearly 10 miles across, sprawling through west Orange County and east Lake County. Its waters trickle north into the Harris Chain of Lakes, the tree-shaded Ocklawaha River, the St. Johns and on to the sea at Jacksonville. Used and abused for decades, Lake Apopka has begun to recover from a near-fatal case of nutrient overload. More...
 Canals in the marsh flow-way move water into and out of the four marsh treatment cells (upper left) and Lake Apopka. [Photo: St. Johns River Water Management District] |
State may challenge FPL rate increase request
The state's consumer advocate for utility cases says he may challenge at least portions of a request filed Monday by Florida Power & Light Co. to increase base rates by $690.4 million per year.
Public Counsel J.R. Kelly said it would take some time to fully analyze the request to the state's Public Service Commission, but the proposal initially announced in January does raise some immediate questions.
[Source: AP]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Three Tampa Bay multinationals know when to exit — not just enter — foreign markets
Globalization's in vogue but some of Tampa Bay's top multinational corporations still chose to pull up stakes recently and exit certain foreign markets.
Reasons vary.
› Clearwater Jazz Holiday will no longer be free in 2012
The Clearwater Jazz Holiday will charge an admission fee this October for the first time in its 33-year history.
› Winnie Palmer Hospital expansion to create nation's largest neonatal ICU
When completed in 2014, the Orlando Health affiliate will have space to treat 142 high-risk newborns. Currently, the nation's largest NICU belongs to Texas Children's Hospital in Houston with 138 beds.
› Southwest Florida taxis make green changes
Fearing astronomical gasoline prices, cab company ownership adds cheaper propane, which also burns cleaner, to fuel mix.
Go to page 2 for more stories ...
› Parking illegally in disabled space can be a costly mistake
Take-out jerk chicken and rice lunch from Donna's Caribbean Restaurant: $4.25.
Illegally parking in a disabled parking space to eat that lunch: $256. Lesson learned: Priceless.
› Secret Service closely watching costs of securing spread-out events at Republican National Convention
The distance between some events scheduled around the Republican National Convention could drive up protection costs for the Secret Service, the agency's top official recently told Congress.
› Wendy’s dethrones Burger King but Five Guys grows fastest
By one measure, Miami-based Burger King has been ousted by Wendy’s, but by others, BK is still ahead. Apparently calories matter; Subway outstrips both.
› Orlando airport medical clinic will close
Solantic Corp. is closing its medical clinic at Orlando International Airport on March 31 because it was not attracting enough customers, company president and CEO Michael Klein said Monday.
"It was not the best location. They [travelers] are busy catching planes," Klein said of the facility, which opened in the B side terminal in December 2008.
› Dade teachers will have to revote on performance pay
Miami-Dade teachers will have to cast their votes again on $14 million in performance pay and other contract changes after the state’s Public Employees Relations Commission ruled the teachers union violated voting rules.
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