PIP Due To Sunset Sunday
Posted by
Jane AkreSeptember 29, 2007 12:18 PMFlorida's Governor Charlie Crist does not want PIP (Personal Injury Protection) to expire October 1st, and he may have to stand his ground to have the special legislative session take up the issue.
Speaker of the House, Marco Rubio, R-West Miami, has asked the governor to add PIP to next week's agenda against the wishes of Senate President Ken Pruitt, R-Port St. Lucie, who wants to focus on the state's budget during the 10-day legislative session.
Last week, behind closed doors in the governor's office, Crist gathered lobbyists for hospitals, trial lawyers, chiropractors and insurers and informed them that a compromise had been reached in the legislature to keep PIP alive until December 31st.
After that, a new revised system would be put in place that includes a medical fee schedule caping medical care at 200% of what medicaid pays. Half of the $10,000 that PIP provides to cover medical costs after an accident would be reserved for the doctors providing the emergency care.
The auto insurance industry had wanted PIP to sunset, promising motorists they would see a savings in their insurance bill. The medical industry had complained that the uninsured would have no coverage after an accident and they would pick up the tab. More litigation would result if the no-fault law expires.
Hospital lobbyists know they will end up with the bill if no-fault sunsets, estimating they will lose $350 million in revenue. Almost everyone agrees the courts will have to decide fault and that won't help anyone.
But is $10,000 enough to compensate the seriously injured in an accident? Probably not, but it helps people who might not be able to afford to take time off of work after an accident. Compare Florida to New Jersey's system of no-fault that compensates $250,000 in medical coverage and Michigan where coverage is unlimited. Unfortunately those states also limit your right to take an accident case to trial.
Just because the issue is complicated does not mean it shouldn't be addressed.