Florida News That Impacts You – July 12th, 2023
Bottom Line: Your daily recap of the biggest news from around the state that impacts you in South Florida.
- HCA’s patient database was compromised during a recent hack attack. Patients of JFK’s area hospitals and medical centers and Palms West in the Palm Beaches have likely had their personal information shared in an online forum on the darkweb. The information compromised included patient addresses, phone numbers and email addresses. Credit card and Social Security information wasn’t compromised. What’s currently unknown is if specific patient health records are compromised. HCA claims hard medical data wasn’t compromised, however DataBreaches.net has questioned that claim. Those compromised will be contacted by the hospital and offered identity theft protection.
- Farmers Insurance informed Florida’s Office of Insurance Regulation that it will “discontinue offering Farmers-branded auto, home and umbrella policies in the state”. The company indicated they operate under several other brand names in the state and that 70% of the policies they underwrite in Florida won’t be impacted. Farmers has approximately 100,000 policies across the three policy types currently in force in Florida. The state requires a minimum 90-day notice to existing customers prior to dropping coverage. Farmers is also dropping coverage in California.
- Florida advanced from 11th to 8th in CNBC’s annual “Top States for Business”. The annual study compares data across ten categories to produce numerical scores. Florida has the top economy in the country and ranks well above average in access to capital, infrastructure, workforce and technology & innovation. Florida was dinged in the “life, health & inclusion” category ranking 41st nationally. North Carolina was declared the top state for business currently.
- Gas prices dropped a penny on Tuesday. Statewide the average price for regular unleaded is currently $3.45 per gallon – 19 cents higher than a week ago. In Palm Beach County the average price is $3.59 per gallon, which is the highest price in the state.