The House version of a controversial auto-insurance bill would provide additional money to treat accident victims in hospitals and trauma centers.

The Senate version doesn't increase the trauma center/emergency room benefits, but like the House bill, it does provide extra funds to beef up the state's efforts to fight auto-accident related insurance fraud.

Sen. Rudy Garcia, R-Hialeah and chair of the Senate Banking and Insurance Committee, said late Wednesday he would ideally like to resolve the differences between the two bills before they go to the floor for full votes by each chamber. He would like to carry out this work next week and have a final bill ready for the last week of the session.

Healthcare providers are generally in favor of having the state extend its no-fault insurance law, which requires that all drivers buy at least $10,000 in medical coverage, known as personal injury protection or PIP.

Without PIP benefits, they fear many drivers would have no other health insurance to cover treatment from accidents. This group also believes healthcare insurance premiums would likely increase as a result.

Ralph Glatfelter of the Florida Hospital Association told the Commerce Council Thursday that pumping up the emergency room benefits for auto accident victims was long overdue since the current bill for such treatment is well over $50,000 these days.

A late change to the House bill would require motorcycle drivers to buy PIP insurance and carry proof of that coverage. Proof would also be required to register a motorcycle.

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