10 Responses to “Keeping Score: No Murzin Bill Passes House”

1. who knows? on May 19th, 2009 10:51 pm

   well, everyone remember to register and vote. it is our civic duty to participate in government. I wonder myself how limiting evidance that can be used in law suites helps the common person in a nursing facility? Isn’t that like, well I can not think of something to compare it too. it just seems wrong, is this fellow looking out for the big insurance companies that like to, often and frequently “Rape” the florida consumers? it does not matter if it is auto, home or health insurance, the insurance companies always seem to win and it is because of politicians like this supporting “junk” bills or resolutions. How does limiting or preventing inspection reports from use in civil actions help a consumer (that is what a person in a nursing facility is?) that is like saying schools will be graded on thier performance but the test scores from state testing can not be used? we all know FCAT is used to do this, why should the services and health industry be any different? please help me understand?

2. Jim Stanton on May 19th, 2009 6:11 pm

   Mr. Murzin, I don’t particularly care about the past, it’s over. I do know that the nursing home here in Century is one of the best in this area, and the patients are well care for there. I would like to see it stay that way. But reading the wording of HB493 makes me wonder if it would if this bill had passed. It seems to me that this bill looks out for the insurance companies more so than our elderly and disabled. Anyone that can read should be able to understand that this bill was about limiting the admittance of evidence in a case against a facility where something has gone wrong. Perhaps you can explain how it benefits the residents of these facilities to not hold the facility responsible for not having an adequate staff on hand. I know why a facility wouldn’t want to have a full staff on hand, the fewer people they have on the clock, the more money goes into the bank. Maybe you should look up the word “adequate”. It doesn’t mean extra, or more than necessary. Or maybe you can explain how not allowing inspection reports to be use in civil proceeding will help the people in these facilities if they are done wrong. It seems to me like the ones to benefit the most from this bill would be the insurance companies that would be the ones that would have to pay for any mistakes made by a facility. I do agree with you on one thing, trial lawyers have to much influence in government, but so do insurance companies.

3. Dave Murzin on May 19th, 2009 9:38 am

   Jim Stanton please stop by a nursing home near you and ask them who has been an advocate for the patients as long as they have been in the Florida Legislature. I worked directly with the nursing home industry across Florida on HB 493 and it was the trial lawyers who were opposed to the bill. That is why the bill didn’t go too far. The trial lawyers weild far too much influence in the legislative process. Don’t just take my word for it, i encourage you to stop by any nursing home, take a tour and ask questions. While you are there, find out how you might help our frail seniors too. Please let me and the readers of Northescambia.com what you find out. My cell is 380-8249

4. Jim Stanton on May 18th, 2009 5:46 pm

   I for one am glad that HB 493 failed. If you read the bill header below you will see that Mr. Murzin has insurance and lawyers interest at heart, not our disabled and elderly citizens. I for one cannot support anyone that sponsors a bill such as the one below.

   HB 493 - Licensure of Nursing Homes and Related Health Care Facilities

   GENERAL BILL   by Murzin (CO-SPONSORS) Homan; Troutman
   Licensure of Nursing Homes and Related Health Care Facilities: Provides condition for actions brought on behalf of nursing home residents under certain alternative theory of recovery; prohibits certain actions or admissions from being admitted as evidence in liability actions; requires evidentiary hearing to determine basis for punitive damages; provides conditions under which facility is not liable for failure to provide adequate staffing; prohibits records relating to state licensure inspection reports from introduction in civil proceeding against facility; permits person who provides certain information to state licensure inspector to provide certain testimony.
   Effective Date: July 1, 2009

   Last Event: Died in Elder & Family Services Policy Committee on Saturday, May 02, 2009 12:00 AM

5. who knows? on May 18th, 2009 4:11 pm

   well… everyone remember, if you are over 18 and registered, you can vote.
   you can vote for who ever you want to. Most voters vote based on reasons they choose themselves. To have a supporter of a canidate call me or some one I know (a jounalist ) lazy will cost that canidate my vote. I don’t know who Dave Murzin is, but I do know with supporters like Darlene, I won’t be voting for Murzin. actually I will remember the name and vote for who ever runs against him in the upcomming election. Thanks for information Darlene you helped me decide who I support..

6. Darlene on May 18th, 2009 6:41 am

   Thanks Dave for offering to explain to these uninformed posters the process. i was impressed that you made the offer and included your cell #. Too many times our elected officials are not accessible and misinformation continues to be spread.
   There was legislation this year that I was working with a sponsorfrom S FLA to pass- a simple bill that had no fiscal impact. It was sponsored by a Republican who chaired a committee (the bill was not referred to that committee but he obviously had some clout to be a chairman). Several factors worked against us but most importantly- time worked against us. THis year’s session was late getting into gear and hundreds of bill died on the vine so to speak. We were fortunate to get our language added to another bill ONCE the Senate companion to that bill appeared to be headed for a vote on the Senate floor.
   Tough I have advocated for legisaltion almost 10 years- this year was THE most difficult to getting anything done. The focus was on the budget which left little time to deal with substantive legislation.
   i haven’t looked up your passing record but I know that you and ALL the legislators from NW FLA worked hard this session to get good bills passed. TIme was against you from the very beginning in addition to the difficulty of the entire process.
   i encourage anyone that is interested, talk to Rep Muzin as well as all your legislators, to find out the entire story. Many times their bill were added to other bills and they passed. Sometimes the Senate version is changed and the House sponsor won”t accept the changes and the bill dies when it is sent back to the Senate. Sometimes it is changed in committee and the changes are unacceptable to the sponsor in the House or Senate and the changes make the bill a bad bill.
   It is a difficlut process and to assume something without doing your research is silly. And if you are a jounalist and you don’t do your due diligence it is just PLAIN LAZY!!!!

7. ELS on May 17th, 2009 9:34 pm

   We are voting on looks, W.R. ? WOW!

8. You have no cents on May 17th, 2009 2:11 pm

   Time for some fresh new faces.

9. Dave Murzin on May 17th, 2009 12:00 pm

   William, I would welcome an opportunity to explain a bit more about the legislative process to you or any of your readers if you or they chose to contact me. For a list of bills that I sponsored, I would invite readers to visit http://www.myfloridahouse.gov/Sections/Representatives/sponsoredbills.aspx?MemberId=4261&SessionId=61 Your readers can just copy and paste the link to go to all the bills i sponsored or co sponsored. If you or they would like more information,please feel free to contact me on my cell at 380-8249. As a resident of Escambia County, (9 Mile and Pine Forest Rd.) I appreciate you keeping us informed on the news and the issues in our community. Thanks, Dave

10. W.R. on May 17th, 2009 9:18 am

    He does not look like anyone much to vote for next round.