Democratic State House 91 hopeful Chris Chiari. Throws down on sunset of PIP insurance

Democratic State House 91 hopeful Chris Chiari. Throws down on sunset of PIP insurance.

 

"Leadership takes action not just words," Chiari said in a letter to supporters. Chiari also sent a letter to Bogdanoff asking her to convince Gov. Charlie Crist to call a special session to address the PIP laws.

 

 

September 7, 2007

Dear Representative Bogdanoff,

 

I read today that you have decided to call off negotiations on Personal Injury Protection (PIP/No Fault Insurance), effectively letting it expire. On behalf of all of those who are going to be negatively affected by the sunsetting of PIP, I urge you to reconsider this move.

You were quoted today as saying that you "don't know that there's any reason to [resume negotiations] right now."

 

If I may, the reasoning is clear: while you have been publicly claiming that your bill is the "House" bill, the other 119 members of the House have yet to see your bill in committee or on the House floor. While I have issues (as many do) with some of its provisions, it deserves consideration and debate before the clock runs out.

 

As a leader in the House, you must have been fully aware that the special session was about to be cancelled. As such, forwarding a proposal last week might have been great PR, but the lack of a special session has effectively reduced your bill down to exactly that - PR.

You stated on the radio this week that PIP sunsetting would be a bad thing for consumers. As the declared chief negotiator regarding PIP, it is your responsibility to see that negotiations continue until there is an acceptable solution for all parties. To back away now, in the face of the crisis, contradicts the will of the people[2], as well as your own stated devotion to reform.

 

Given your roots in insurance, and the intense lobbying efforts by your friends and associates in that industry, the public needs you to replace rhetoric with action, and follow through on your statements in support of coverage.

I urge you to immediately:

 

1) Make a public request to the Governor to call a special session to negotiate a PIP solution before October 1st, or

 

2) Join the growing bi-partisan support for an emergency extension of PIP to facilitate a true, open discussion about needed reform during the 2008 regular session.

Sincerely,

 

 

Chris Chiari