The News Review:
- Layoff insurance latest carrot for homebuyers
- Bill aims to force schools to use state insurance
- Health Care: The Case for Mandatory Universal Health Insurance
- Fortis outlines insurance future after $37 bln loss
- Democrats seek compromise on health care plan
Layoff insurance latest carrot for homebuyers
The Associated Press
Buyers can take advantage of the program only if they lose their job within the first two years after purchasing the home. Launched last month Toll’s mortgage protection program only covers homebuyers who finance their purchase through the company’s mortgage lender. The plan covers a maximum of six monthly payments of up to $2500 a month — including interest taxes and insurance — if the homeowner loses his or her job within two years after closing on their home. “It’s for those who perhaps are not feeling themselves in imminent danger but just want that extra safety net” said Kira McCarron chief marketing officer for luxury homebuilder Toll which is based in Horsham Pa. ne of the most generous programs in the industry comes from Cousins Properties Inc. which is marketing the effort with its 10 Terminus Place luxury condo tower in Atlanta. Cousins is offering to refund to buyers all their mortgage payments should the appraised value of their condos fall below the sale price after three years.
Bill aims to force schools to use state insurance
Seattle Post Intelligencer
PTBill aims to force schools to use state insuranceBy DNNA GRDN BLANKINSHIPASSCIATED PRESS WRITERSEATTLE — A proposal to force teachers and other school employees to buy their health insurance through the state system is one senator’s attempt to help save Washington school districts some money but the state teachers union says the idea isn’t likely to save anyone anything. Dale Brandland R-Bellingham said school administrators in his district have told him that his idea would save them thousands of dollars a year. “It’s the same plan the governor of Washington is on. We have a very good health care plan” Brandland said.
Health Care: The Case for Mandatory Universal Health Insurance
AllBusiness
Next to tax reform the cost of health care and health insurance ranks highest on surveys of small business owners? concerns. As the debate unfolds in the coming months small business owners will need to get up to speed on the current system?s problems. A recent hearing before the House Committee on Energy and Commerce?s subcommittee on Health provided some eye-opening testimony on the current system?s problems and why mandatory universal health insurance should be a cornerstone of reform efforts. “Insurance in its simplest form works by pooling risks: many pay a premium up front and then those who face a bad outcome (getting sick being in a car accident having their home burn down) get paid out of those collected premiums” explained Katherine Baicker a professor of health economics at Harvard?s School of Public Health. “Uncertainty about when we may fall sick and need more health care is the reason that we purchase insurance not just because health care is expensive” Baicker explained.
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Fortis outlines insurance future after $37 bln loss
Reuters
7 percent (Adds conference call analyst comment opening shares) By Philip Blenkinsop BRUSSELS March 31 (Reuters) – Fortis NV (. BR) outlinedits future as a viable insurance group on Tuesday after plungingto a 28 billion euro ($37 billion) loss in 2008 due towritedowns on the carve-out of its banking activities. The stricken Belgian-Dutch group pulled apart in astate-led bailout last year said it would carry out a review ofoptions to boost growth consider acquisitions and eye a returnof capital to shareholders assuming they vote for the carve-up. “This is the new start for Fortis shareholders permitting”Chief Executive Karel De Boeck told a conference call. “A numberof our companies are fast-growers and they need additionalcapital in order to sustain their development.
Democrats seek compromise on health care plan
The Associated Press
At issue is whether middle-class workers and families should have the option of a government-sponsored plan that would compete with private insurers. bama and other Democrats support the idea which Republicans adamantly oppose. Charles Schumer who is working on the issue for the Senate Finance Committee said Thursday one potential compromise is based on insurance plans that most states already offer their employees.