Florida Senator Bill Nelson Continues to Fly New Missions

As his bio notes, 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 and Florida’s junior Senator is proof of that.

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 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 participate in 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 track, 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?

Nelson: Hurricane Andrew highlighted major flaws in the state’s emergency response system and insurance industry. And we’ve made huge improvements since then. Florida is now a leader in organized emergency services and has streamlined post-disaster relief responses and licensure requirements for state insurance adjusters. The state has even set up the so-called CAT fund. At the end of the day, Florida residents will receive help much faster during and after natural disasters than they did twelve years ago.

IJ: What are your views on the insurance industry, independent agents, etc. and how they can better serve the public?

Nelson: Consumers rely on insurance agents for advice and assistance when they need to file claims. But, unsurprisingly, most don’t understand complex insurance products and services. This was all too clear in multiple focus groups I heard from when I was state insurance commissioner.

That’s why it’s important for insurance providers and agents to develop consumer-friendly products and services. And while the insurance industry should take advantage of technology to help deliver them, we need to make sure that consumers have access to trained and responsive insurance professionals. After all, technology is no replacement for prompt and personalized help from qualified agents. Florida has some of the most comprehensive and strict licensing requirements for agents, and I hope they continue to review and retool such standards to ensure quality service for Florida consumers.

IJ: How do you see the 2004 presidential election playing out between President Bush and Senator John Kerry?

Nelson: We’ll have another close presidential race because the electorate is split. And like 2000, the election will be decided by swing voters who make up a small percentage of the vote. But at the end of the day, John Kerry will be elected president in part because many Americans are looking to him to restore America’s reputation as a world leader while winning the war on terrorism.

To learn more about Sen. Nelson, visit http://billnelson.senate.gov.