Consumer Insurance Coalition
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Statewide
Grassroots Coalition Calls Insurance Bill Encouraging First Step
Media Release for January 23, 20007 A statewide coalition of grassroots
consumer advocacy organizations, labor unions and neighborhood groups are
urging Governor Charlie Crist to sign the legislative package on insurance
that passed during the final hours of the special legislative session on
Monday. Formed early this year
to educate the public and advocate in the legislature for insurance reform
that would strengthen the overall system and provide real relief for
consumers, the broad based coalition collectively represents close to a
million
The coalition, which includes the Florida Justice Association, Florida AFL-CIO, Florida Consumer Action Network, Florida PIRG, FIRM, HAC, ACORN, Cyber Citizens for Justice, POA Of The Villages, Floridians In Action and several condominium associations, applauds the Florida Legislature for taking a, “good first step,” in reforming Florida’s insurance system. However, the coalition also acknowledges that there is still much work to be done before all the insurance consumers of this state see the broad-based rate relief they so sorely need.
“This bill is the most
significant pro-consumer insurance reform in my memory,” said
Paul Jess, General Counsel for the Florida Justice Association.
“We are pleased that our new Governor and legislative
leaders are putting the needs of consumers ahead of industry profits.”
“This first effort is extremely encouraging and
represents a real sea change from the past when our elected officials
lacked the courage and the will to stand up to the insurance lobby and
push a reform agenda,” commented Florida AFL-CIO President
The coalition still has real
concerns about
“We hope the Governor will sign
this bill with the understanding that much more needs to be done and that
our support for this first step does not mean that our work here is
done,” said
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