As his bio notes growing up as a child, Florida Senator Bill Nelson never imagined that one day he would both catapult into space from a NASA launch site just miles from his grandfather’s homestead and go on to serve the people of Florida in the U.S. Senate. But dreams do come true.
As a fifth-generation Floridian, Nelson has spent 30 years serving the people of his home state as a state legislator, congressman, state treasurer and insurance commissioner – and since his election in November of 2000, as a U.S. Senator.
One of his most unforgettable experiences occurred back in 1986, when he spent six days on a NASA shuttle orbiting Earth. During his flight training and time in space, Nelson’s eyes were opened not only to the importance of the nation’s space program, but also to the beauty and fragility of planet Earth. Since this experience, Nelson has worked in the Senate to protect the environment by preventing oil drilling off U.S. coastlines and restoring the Everglades, and he has been an outspoken advocate for space exploration.
Back on Earth, Nelson has been busy championing causes for residents of the Sunshine State, and he recently took time out of his schedule in Washington, D.C. to do an e-mail interview with Insurance Journal Southeast.
Insurance Journal: How can the medical malpractice issue in Florida and other states be solved and what is the Senate doing about it?
Sen. Nelson: Soaring medical malpractice premiums pose a serious threat to health care providers in many parts of the nation. But different states’ experience varying degrees of the problem. And at the end of the day, I don’t think that a one-size-fits-all approach at the federal level is the best way to solve the problem. Individual states should be able to weigh the costs and benefits of various ways to address the problem and make a decision based on their particular needs and circumstances.
IJ: Are you concerned that businesses will leave Florida when faced with high medical malpractice claims and workers’ compensation issues?
Nelson: I am concerned about the effects of rising costs associated with medical malpractice and workers’ compensation on Florida businesses. That’s why it’s important for the state to crackdown on fraud and abuses that drive up premiums and, in the case of workers’ compensation, threatens the program’s solvency. When I served as Florida’s insurance commissioner, I made fighting fraud a top priority. We went after all types of schemers, including ones abusing workers’ compensation. In all, our convictions resulted in more than $52 million in court-ordered restitution on behalf of consumers and insurance companies. It takes vigilance to reassure businesses you’re serious about combating abuse.
IJ: What do you see as the major challenges facing businesses in Florida and nationwide, and have the Senate and President Bush addressed them?
Nelson: Sept. 11th was a big setback for our nation’s economy, and hit Florida’s businesses especially hard because tourism and related industries took a hit. Now that the economy is getting back on tract, one of the most pressing issues for businesses in Florida, and across the nation, is the rising cost of employee health care. One way we can lower costs system-wide is by making sure people have access to primary care. When people are uninsured, they often wait until something is seriously wrong to seek medical attention. They end up in emergency rooms, which is a huge burden on the system and which drives up prices for everyone.Part of this complicated equation is the high cost of prescription drugs. It’s especially a problem for seniors, but it also affects American workers and their employers. I think Americans should be able to buy lower-cost drugs from Canada, so I’ve sponsored legislation to end a ban on doing just that. I think one of the ultimate solutions is bulk purchasing programs, like Medicare, to bring down drug costs.
IJ: Florida is a state like others that must deal with hurricanes, tornadoes and other natural disasters. Do you feel the state responds in a timely and proper manner when residents file claims, need assistance, etc?
Editor’s note: To see the full interview with Sen. Nelson, see the July 19 issue of Insurance Journal Southeast.
Topics Florida USA Workers' Compensation Medical Professional Liability
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