- M&T expands presence in Baltimore
- BestHealthcareRates.com States The GovernmentWill Become The New …
- Increasingly seniors selling their life insurance policies
- Primus Reiterates AIG Taiwan Unit’s Fair Value US$1.3 Billion Source
- Raft of Deals for Failed Banks Puts us on Hook for Billions
- Americans more confident on healthcare costs: poll
- Find Cheaper Insurance

M&T expands presence in Baltimore
Bizjournals.com
_BE508EB564A141F4968EEA511A6144F4. reassured Bradford depositors that they will automatically become M&T customers and can continue using their existing branches until M&T is able to integrate Bradford Bank's deposit records. Buffalo-based M&T is also the second-largest bank in the Baltimore area with 17 percent of total deposits in the latter market. Bradford Bank which was headquartered in Baltimore had total assets of $452 million and total deposits of approximately $383 million. M&T agreed to assume the bank's deposits and purchase essentially all of its assets.

BestHealthcareRates.com States The GovernmentWill Become The New …
Reuters
It is much more likely that it will killcompetition in most states as the giant arrives in town and takes a portion ofeverybody`s business. The government has outlined a list of reasons that different states need healthcare reform as they have proposed it. These reasons vary from statistics on thenumber of residents in the state without health insurance to the percentage ofoverweight children and adults living there both being valid information forhealthcare. It also cites the fact that certain states lack sufficient choicewhen it comes to the choosing a medical insurance provider and their reformswill fix that. However critics say a government run plan sets itself up to become the newmonopoly in every state. Supposedly the plan is for the reforms to not damagethe health insurance market but to supplement it. Yet if the requirements touse the government plan are open enough and the plan is comprehensive enoughmany people would possibly leave their private health insurance behind forcheaper pastures elsewhere.

Increasingly seniors selling their life insurance policies
Philadelphia Inquirer
place_ad_here(“half”); Posted on Mon Aug. 31 2009 Increasingly seniors selling their life insurance policies By Bob MoosThe Dallas Morning News (MCT) Seniors battered by the tough economy are selling their life insurance policies to replenish their retirement nest eggs. Unlike younger investors older adults may not have the time to wait for the market to recover all of their losses so they’re turning to this previously overlooked asset to see whether they should sell it and use the money to pay medical bills or other expenses. Seniors sold life insurance policies with a face value of $11. 8 billion last year almost double the value of policies sold just two years earlier according to the U.

Primus Reiterates AIG Taiwan Unit’s Fair Value US$1.3 Billion Source
CNNMoney.com
3 billion for American International Group Inc. ‘s (AIG) Taiwan unit a person familiar with the matter said Monday. The comment comes after the Commercial Times reported Saturday citing unnamedmarket sources Primus had offered between US$1. 8 and US$2 billion for the unitNan Shan Life Insurance Co. A person familiar with the situation told Dow Jones Newswires last week NanShan Taiwan’s third-largest life insurer by gross premiums after Cathay LifeInsurance Co. and Fubon Life Insurance Co. should be sold for around US$1.
Related from Talloonne: Primus opts for Basslink as primary connection to Tasmania

Raft of Deals for Failed Banks Puts us on Hook for Billions
Wall Street Journal
on Hook for Billions ArticleCommentsBY DAMIAN PALETTA WASHINGTN — The biggest spur to deal-making among banks isn’t private-equity cash or foreign investors. It is the federal government. To encourage banks to pick through the wreckage of their collapsed competitors the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. has agreed to assume most of the risk on $80 billion in loans and other assets. The agency expects it will eventually have to cover $14 billion in future losses on deals cut so far. The initiative amounts to a subsidy for dozens of hand-picked banks. Through more than 50 deals known as “loss shares” the FDIC has agreed to absorb losses on.

Americans more confident on healthcare costs: poll
Reuters
“Those with insurance have overall confidence levels approximately 10 percent higher than average while those with no insurance have overall confidence levels more than 80 percent lower than average. Improvements in confidence occurred in both groups. (Editing by Paul Simao).

Find Cheaper Insurance
MyFox Houston
This Website of the Day lets you do just that. The website ?InsuranceAgents. com? says a lot of people can save 50 percent by just comparing multiple quotes. Right on its homepage type in your ZIP code and what kind of insurance you?re looking for – auto health home life and so on.

- Banks on Sick List Top 400
- California insurance commissioner to fight selling part of workers …
- FHN’s insurance unit to buy Sandlin agency
- Farmers Insurance to slash workforce at 21st Century unit in …
- Fortis 1H Net Down Post Breakup; Insurance Net -29%
- Health Compromise to See Changes Before Vote House Dems Say
- China Life Insurance Profit Rises Due to Gains on Holdings

Banks on Sick List Top 400
Wall Street Journal
The government fund that protects consumer deposits fell to its lowest level since 1993. The continuing woes which come despite trillions of dollars in government rescue financing and a rebounding stock market raised questions about how quickly the economy can revive. The Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. said it had 416 banks on its “problem list” at the end.

California insurance commissioner to fight selling part of workers …
Los Angeles Times
Arnold Schwarzenegger and the Legislature approved the proposed sale to raise money to partially plug a $24-billion hole in the state budget. But Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner vowed to fight it. “This is bad politics; it’s illegal and I’m going to stop it” said the wealthy former tech entrepreneur from Silicon Valley who is seeking the Republican nomination for governor in 2010.
Related from Telefenua: Kansans Warned of Telephone Scam

FHN’s insurance unit to buy Sandlin agency
Bizjournals.com
Sandlin Insurance owner Truman Sandlin will remain with the combined company a release noted. Germantown-based Sandlin Insurance is a full-service firm that handles risk management and comprehensive insurance coverage for businesses and non-profits. Sandlin is former past president of the Professional Agents of Memphis and has worked in the industry more than 45 years. First Horizon did not disclose Sandlin’s sales volume or financial terms of the deal. First Horizon Insurance Group Inc.

Farmers Insurance to slash workforce at 21st Century unit in …
Los Angeles Times
Los Angeles-based Farmers told employees that it would cut 554 jobs by the end of this year and that the total would reach 750 by the end of 2010. The Woodland Hills complex which had been 21st Century’s headquarters until last November currently has 979 employees Farmers said. Farmers completed its purchase of 21st Century from troubled insurance giant American International Group Inc.

Fortis 1H Net Down Post Breakup; Insurance Net -29%
Wall Street Journal
The result includes the impact of the closing of the deal between BNP Paribas (BNP. FR) the Belgian state and Fortis Bank and so is distorted by numerous one-time elements. These included a EUR697 million capital gain from the sale of 25% of Fortis Insurance Belgium to.

Health Compromise to See Changes Before Vote House Dems Say
Wall Street Journal
Under the Blue Dog deal which was included in legislation that passed the House Energy and Commerce Committee the Secretary of Health would negotiate payment rates to doctors and hospitals under the new public plan. But that provision drew sharp criticism from more liberal House Democrats who want those payment rates to be pegged to the Medicare program. They argue that negotiated rates would give insurance companies undue influence and wouldn’t lower costs enough. “To have negotiated rates costs the American taxpayers money” said Rep. ) in a Thursday conference call with reporters.

China Life Insurance Profit Rises Due to Gains on Holdings
Wall Street Journal
–>China Life Insurance Profit Rises Due to Gains on Holdings ArticleCommentsBY ARIES PN AND JY C. SHAW SHANGHAI — China Life Insurance Co. the country’s largest life insurer by premiums said first-half net profit rose 29% from a year earlier due to gains in the value of its securities holdings. Net profit for the six months ended June 30 rose to 13. 92 billion yuan ($2. 04 billion) from 10.

- Fortis 1H Net Down Post Breakup; Insurance Net -29%
- China Life Insurance Profit Rises Due to Gains on Holdings
- Poizner reports increase in suspected auto insurance fraud
- First Commercial Insurance Co. placed in receivership
- A Reading List on Insurance Choice
- Kennedy’s dream is our inspiration
- > Ezra Klein

Fortis 1H Net Down Post Breakup; Insurance Net -29%
Wall Street Journal
The result includes the impact of the closing of the deal between BNP Paribas (BNP. FR) the Belgian state and Fortis Bank and so is distorted by numerous one-time elements. These included a EUR697 million capital gain from the sale of 25% of Fortis Insurance Belgium to.

China Life Insurance Profit Rises Due to Gains on Holdings
Wall Street Journal
–>China Life Insurance Profit Rises Due to Gains on Holdings ArticleCommentsBY ARIES PN AND JY C. SHAW SHANGHAI — China Life Insurance Co. the country’s largest life insurer by premiums said first-half net profit rose 29% from a year earlier due to gains in the value of its securities holdings. Net profit for the six months ended June 30 rose to 13. 92 billion yuan ($2. 04 billion) from 10.
Related from Yolog: Japan’s Banks Post Some Profit Gains; MUFG +48%

Poizner reports increase in suspected auto insurance fraud
Bizjournals.com
us Digg This The number of suspected fraudulent cases of auto arson and theft has increased during the recession state Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner said Wednesday. The California Department of Insurance received 31 percent more referrals for suspected vehicle arson fraud cases last year than in 2007 a news release said. The total increased to 451 cases in 2008 from 344 in 2007. The Department also received about 200 more suspected vehicle theft fraud case referrals last year than the year before. Insurance regulators receive referrals of suspected fraud from consumers law enforcement and insurance companies.

First Commercial Insurance Co. placed in receivership
Bizjournals.com
us Digg This A Leon County Circuit Court judge has ordered Miami-based First Commercial Insurance Co. and its wholly owned subsidiary.

A Reading List on Insurance Choice
New York Times
Jonathan Cohn of The New Republic. Healthy people might end up aggregating in one place leaving all the unhealthy people in the other; the resulting imbalance would mean really cheap coverage for the healthy but really expensive coverage for the unhealthy.

Kennedy’s dream is our inspiration
Chicago Sun-Times
At the time Kennedy had been diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor and — in his words — was receiving the “best medical care that money [and a good insurance policy] can buy. Still he understood that many Americans neither have the money nor the good insurance policy and that the lack thereof could mean the difference between life and death. “Every American should be able to get the same treatment that U. senators are entitled to” Kennedy wrote. To make this point Kennedy got out of his sick bed to travel to Denver Colo.

> Ezra Klein
Washington Post
When he tried to reach a deal with Richard Nixon in the ’70s. When he made it the center of his challenge to Jimmy Carter in the ’80s. When he created the Children’s Health Insurance Program in the ’90s. When he directed his staff to begin educating senators and stakeholders for President bama’s effort late last year. There is an impulse to honor the dead by erasing the sharp edges of their life. To ensure they belong to all of us and in doing deprive them of the dignity conferred by their actual choices their lonely stands and their long work. But Ted Kennedy didn’t belong to all of us.

- Whole Foods Fight
- BB&T: Colonial deal won’t hurt earnings
- Standard Insurance building gets Earth friendly retrofit
- President bama health care reform town hall in Grand Junction …

Whole Foods Fight
New York Times
” Mackey went on to offer eight ideas for reforms including these four: Remove the legal obstacles that slow the creation of high-deductible health insurance plans and health savings accounts (HSAs). Repeal all state laws which prevent insurance companies from competing across state lines. Enact tort reform to end the ruinous lawsuits that force doctors to pay insurance costs of hundreds of thousands of dollars per year. Revise tax forms to make it easier for individuals to make a voluntary tax-deductible donation to help the millions of people who have no insurance and aren’t covered by Medicare Medicaid or the State Children’s Health Insurance Program. Reaction from pro-reform Whole Foods shoppers was swift and vociferous.

BB&T: Colonial deal won’t hurt earnings
Bizjournals.com
says $5 billion in expected losses from Colonial BancGroup Inc. ’s loan portfolio won’t hurt BB&T’s earnings because of a loss-sharing agreement the Winston-Salem-based bank has with the. _BE508EB564A141F4968EEA511A6144F4.

Standard Insurance building gets Earth friendly retrofit
regonLive.com
invested more than $208000 in efficiency upgrades to equipment operations and employee practices. The measures are expected to generate about $111000 in annual savings covering the cost of the retrofits in less than two years. Energy efficiency improvements will save the company an estimated $1. 3 million in the next 15 years. The 46-year-old building was certified under the.

President bama health care reform town hall in Grand Junction …
Examiner.com
But my question is this. We all know the best way to reduce prices in this economy is to increase competition. How in the world can a private corporation providing insurance compete with an entity that does not have to worry about making a profit does not have to pay local property taxes — (applause) — they do not have to — they’re not subject to local regulations? How can a company compete with that? And I’m not looking for anything — I don’t want generalities. I don’t want philosophical arguments. I’m just asking a question. THE PRESIDENT: That’s a great question. Thank you for the question.
Related from Bloggingrssmonster: Live-Blogging bama’s Town Hall Meeting on Health Care

- Why We Need Health Care Reform
- Shelby: Insurance co-ops worth looking at
- To Microsoft Basic Research Is Good Insurance

Why We Need Health Care Reform
New York Times
Lori is currently self-employed and trying to start a business but because she has hepatitis C she cannot find an insurance company that will cover her. Another woman testified that an insurance company would not cover illnesses related to her internal organs because of an accident she had when she was 5 years old. A man lost his health coverage in the middle of chemotherapy because the insurance company discovered that he had gallstones which he hadn’t known about when he applied for his policy. Because his treatment was delayed he died. I hear more and more stories like these every single day and it is why we are acting so urgently to pass health-insurance reform this year.
Related from Transitions-for-women: President out west trying to whip up support for health care reform

Shelby: Insurance co-ops worth looking at
The Associated Press
Alabama’s Richard Shelby is a vocal opponent of the health care overhaul proposed by President Barack bama. Shelby says he sees insurance co-ops as “a step away from the government take over of the health care system. “He says “that’s something we should look at.

To Microsoft Basic Research Is Good Insurance
New York Times
Microsoft does not disclose its total basic research budget but it is estimated at $300 million a year. Rashid said is in good part an insurance policy giving the company a rapid-response capability. “You have it so that when something happens that you don’t expect you can adapt quickly” he said. pen innovation models are fine Mr. Rashid said but they have their limits. “Investment in basic research is an investment in survival” he said.

- C woman gets 8 years for massive insurance scam
- bama to focus on insurance companies this week
- Fireman’s Fund to sell ‘hybrid upgrade’ insurance
- The Truth About Health Insurance
- NYS recovers insurance money
- The Whole Foods Alternative to bamaCare

C woman gets 8 years for massive insurance scam
San Jose Mercury News
—An range County woman has been sentenced to eight years in prison for her role in a $154-million medical insurance scam involving patients who had unnecessary surgeries. lga Toscano was sentenced Tuesday in Santa Ana. She pleaded guilty to 98 felony counts including insurance fraud. Prosecutors say the 41-year-old Irvine woman was a “capper” who recruited patients to have unnecessary surgeries at an range County outpatient center. In return the patients received money or discounted cosmetic surgery.

bama to focus on insurance companies this week
USA Today
Today in Portsmouth N. bama will criticize the practice of refusing coverage on account of pre-existing conditions. “This has to stop as part of health care reform” press secretary Robert Gibbs said on CBS This Morning.

Fireman’s Fund to sell ‘hybrid upgrade’ insurance
Bizjournals.com
_992107D3B20344F8945337CEEC6249FA. will widen sales of hybrid upgrade auto insurance as part of its Prestige Auto Premier policy. Created to encourage car owners to “go green” the new hybrid auto upgrade will allow owners to upgrade to a hybrid model during the first three model-years in the event of a total loss. According to Novato-based Fireman’s Fund this option should be “an attractive choice for those car owners who want to protect the value of their assets reduce their energy costs and protect the environment. ”The company wouldn't estimate when the policy will be available in California. A Johnson Controls survey conducted by Harris Interactive reported that 90 percent of American adults are open to choosing a hybrid if they were buying a new vehicle.
Related from Champcarnews: US Hybrid-Auto Insurance Leader Says Being Green Pays

The Truth About Health Insurance
Wall Street Journal
” The point is to make its proposals seem less radical than they are while portraying private insurers as villains for supposedly denying coverage to the sick. Sounds like a good time to explain a few facts about the modern insurance market. Start with the reality that nine out of 10 people under 65 are covered by their employers most of which cover all employees and charge everyone the same rate. President bama’s horror stories are about the individual insurance market where some 15 million people buy coverage outside of the workplace.

NYS recovers insurance money
Hudson Valley Press
Paterson announced that $13. 6 million was recovered from insurance companies between April 1st and June 30 2009 for almost 3000 consumers and health care providers who filed complaints with the New York State Insurance Department. This is up from $8. 5 million recovered in the first quarter of 2009 for a total of $22 million for the first half of the year. “With so many affected by the economic downturn we will continue to work to make sure New Yorkers get full value for their insurance dollars” said Governor Paterson. “Insurance is a promise to protect us at our most vulnerable and New Yorkers can rely on us to protect them if insurance companies do not keep their promises.

The Whole Foods Alternative to bamaCare
Wall Street Journal
Instead we should be trying to achieve reforms by moving in the opposite direction—toward less government control and more individual empowerment. Here are eight reforms that would greatly lower the cost of health care for everyone:• Remove the legal obstacles that slow the creation of high-deductible health insurance plans and health savings accounts (HSAs). The combination of high-deductible health insurance and HSAs is one solution that could solve many of our health-care problems. For example Whole Foods Market pays 100% of the premiums for all our team members who work 30 hours or more per week (about 89% of all team members) for our high-deductible health-insurance plan. We also provide up to $1800 per year in additional health-care dollars through deposits into employees’ Personal Wellness Accounts to spend as they choose on their own health and wellness. Money not spent in one year rolls over to the next and grows over time. ur team members therefore spend their own health-care dollars until the annual deductible is covered (about $2500) and the insurance plan kicks in.

- Germany’s Lufthansa offers bad weather insurance
- Healthcare Bill’s Abortion Curiosity
- Nixon wants autism insurance bill that died in House back — and …
- NC lawmakers approve hurricane insurance plan fix

Germany’s Lufthansa offers bad weather insurance
Reuters
DE) has launched a new ”sunshine insurance” offer to boost sales by offering flyers money back if it rains on their holiday. For an extra fee — around 20 euros for a flight in.
Related from Rop-jo: Lufthansa reportedly eyes LT Poland downplays

Healthcare Bill’s Abortion Curiosity
U.S. News & World Report
"In the future should Congress say it doesn’t need the Hyde Amendment it would be odd that the only place in which it would apply is in the health insurance plan" says an aide to Democratic Rep. Lois Capps who authored the recently adopted amendment outlining abortion coverage. "So we’re saying the health insurance plan follows the same rules as the federal law. "If the law is changed to allow federally funded abortion through Medicaid in other words federally funded abortions would also be allowed through the government-run health insurance plan. The Capps amendment ties the health insurance plan’s abortion coverage to the Hyde Amendment by stipulating that the plan use federal funds only for abortions that are permitted to receive federal funds by the health and human services appropriations bill in any given year. If the Hyde Amendment is repealed granting HHS the power to fund abortions that would give the same power to the health insurance plan. In his 2010 budget bama declined to request the Hyde Amendment’s repeal disappointing many abortion rights advocates.

Nixon wants autism insurance bill that died in House back — and …
Kansas City Star
Jay Nixon called for mandatory insurance coverage for autism in three stops across the state on Thursday.    A bill requiring coverage of autism treatments breezed through the state Senate but failed in the House earlier this year. In an appearance here at an autism clinic affiliated with the University of Missouri Nixon said the legislation couldn?t wait any longer.    ?A bill that guarantees that insurance providers will cover the most effective treatments for autism must pass this (upcoming) legislative session and it must include substantial provisions that make real differences for real families? Nixon said.    He also visited Children?s Mercy Hospital in Kansas City and an autism center in St.

NC lawmakers approve hurricane insurance plan fix
WLS
(AP) — North Carolina legislators have approved reforms to an overextended hurricane insurance plan capping potential costs to insurers while spreading the risk of a disaster to every property owner in the state. The House voted 92-19 on Thursday to give the Beach Plan fix final approval. The state-created privately run plan provides wind and homeowners insurance policies in 18 coastal counties. The reforms put insured property owners statewide on the hook if a disaster forced the Beach Plan to pay out more than a $1 billion insurance industry cap. The insurance commissioner said some companies threatened to leave the state if their now-unlimited risk wasn’t capped.

- With House in Recess Focus Moves to Senate
- Tucker Carlson and Ana Marie Cox: Birthers Canada Insurance More
- * To lower funding to insurance unit under restructuring
- Unemployment Insurance Running ut For Many US Jobless – NYT
- Filing: Michael Jackson’s life insurance paid out
- Mark S. Berset CE of Comegys Insurance named to Utek board

With House in Recess Focus Moves to Senate
Washington Post
Sherrod Brown (hio) and Jay Rockefeller (W. ) say they are upset about reports that the finance panel is leaning toward a watered-down version of a public insurance option. In the meantime Senate Democratic leaders are reviving the R-word — reconciliation that is. Sources close to the party?s leadership say that if Finance Chairman Max Baucus (D-Mont. ) misses the mid-September mark for compromise legislation they?ll press him to bring out a Democrats-only bill. Inherent in that suggestion is a none-too-subtle reminder that the Democrats still have a procedural power play in their quiver.
Related from Newrepublicans: Senate Finance Committee Won’t Vote n Reform Bill Before Recess

Tucker Carlson and Ana Marie Cox: Birthers Canada Insurance More
Washington Post
f course the media will roll over for him. Ana Marie Cox: Careful with that "we" Tucker! I mean I’m rolling over for him like Harry Reid and an insurance lobbyist but you are certainly not. And by that I mean I prepared to accept the proposition that higher taxes may in fact be the proper solution to a crisis that we are still discovering the complete contours of. Everyone knows that And clearly the economic crisis is in its last throes. Where are they? Who’s the Thomas Ricks of this story?_______________________Marriottsville Md.

* To lower funding to insurance unit under restructuring
Reuters
N)said it may reduce a planned $1 billion investment in aspin-off insurance unit based on the outcome of talks withgovernment-controlled housing companies sending its sharesdown as much as 6 percent. MGIC said the ongoing talks with government controlledmortgage finance companies Fannie Mae (. N) and Freddie Mac(.

Unemployment Insurance Running ut For Many US Jobless – NYT
Wall Street Journal
–>Unemployment Insurance Running ut For Many US Jobless – NYT ArticleCommentsmore in. 5 million jobless Americans will use up their unemployment insurance benefits by the end of the year as jobs remain scarce the New York Times reported Sunday. Because of extensions.

Filing: Michael Jackson’s life insurance paid out
The Associated Press
The records filed Friday in Los Angeles are redacted and don’t indicate how much the policy paid out. The filings state that money designated for Jackson’s three children has been received by a trust being handled by special administrators of the singer’s estate. The filings are meant to augment a petition to give the children a monthly stipend. Another filing indicates Jackson’s mother Katherine is also eligible for some benefits from the policy.

Mark S. Berset CE of Comegys Insurance named to Utek board
Bizjournals.com
board of directors but the latest business executive to join has a strong local connection. Berset the chief executive officer of. Utek is still consulting and transferring technology but instead of exchanging this for equity positions it is now working for cash.

- Unemployment Insurance Running ut For Many US Jobless – NYT
- The Sunday Word
- Health Bill May Advance Without Bipartisan Deal
- Proposed Tax Tests bama on Campaign Vow
- CRRECT: New Mortgage Insurance Applications Up In June
- McCain: I’m not in favor of a public health insurance option

Unemployment Insurance Running ut For Many US Jobless – NYT
Wall Street Journal
–>Unemployment Insurance Running ut For Many US Jobless – NYT ArticleCommentsmore in. 5 million jobless Americans will use up their unemployment insurance benefits by the end of the year as jobs remain scarce the New York Times reported Sunday. Because of extensions.
Related from Lasilla: Spain to extend jobless benefits sees productivity pact

The Sunday Word
New York Times
New public opinion polls show concerns about the costs of a vast change and worries — especially among those who have health insurance — that an overhaul would reduce individuals’ coverage. (The Times’s Adam Nagourney and Megan Thee-Brenan.

Health Bill May Advance Without Bipartisan Deal
New York Times
Lawmakers of both parties agree on the need to rein in private insurance companies by banning underwriting practices that have prevented millions of Americans from obtaining affordable insurance. Insurers would for example have to accept all applicants and offer a minimum package of benefits to be defined by the federal government. Nearly all Americans would be required to have insurance. Lawmakers also agree on the need to provide federal subsidies to help make insurance affordable for people with modest incomes.

Proposed Tax Tests bama on Campaign Vow
Wall Street Journal
MCKINNN WASHINGTN — A proposed tax on generous health-insurance packages presents a challenge to President Barack bama who promised during his campaign not to raise taxes on the middle class. A plan under debate in Congress would impose a new tax on insurers or employers who provide so-called gold-plated health-care plans. Many economists say a significant part of the cost would eventually be passed to employees through higher insurance payments or slower wage growth. That could conflict with Mr. bama’s often-repeated promise not to raise taxes on middle-class families.

CRRECT: New Mortgage Insurance Applications Up In June
Wall Street Journal
–>CRRECT: New Mortgage Insurance Applications Up In June ArticleCommentsmore in. EDT and repeated at 7:38 a. gave incorrect June numbers for new mortgage applications defaults and cures.

McCain: I’m not in favor of a public health insurance option
CNN Political Ticker
John McCain says he is not in favor of the approach most likely to be put forward by a bipartisan group of six senators negotiating on the committee. ?I have not seen one? McCain says in an interview airing on Sunday?s CNN State of the Union when asked whether there is a viable public insurance option that could garner his vote. McCain does not favor a pure public option run by the federal government and the Arizona Republican says he also does not favor insurance co-operatives ? an alternative to government-run single-payer insurance that has been proposed by North Dakota Democrat Sen. Kent Conrad who sits on the Senate Finance Committee. ?The co-ops remind us all of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac? McCain says. ?And so I have not seen a public option that in my view meets the test of what would really not eventually lead to a government takeover.

- Why Small Biz Is Skittish About Health-Care Reform
- CRRECT: New Mortgage Insurance Applications Up In June
- Landlord Rules 101: Get the Right Insurance Policy
- SeaBright Insurance names C
- Dems look to limit increases in cost of insurance
- CRRECTED – Insurer Genworth sticks to mortgages despite loss
- Strategies: Small businesses suffer on health care issue

Why Small Biz Is Skittish About Health-Care Reform
BusinessWeek
That’s why bama and White House economists such as Austan Goolsbee have launched a public charm offensive to convince entrepreneurs they will see their health-care cost burden fall significantly if proposed reforms in Congress become a reality. Creating the right mix of incentives to prod more small enterprises into offering health insurance for employees is crucial to bama’s quest to extend coverage to uninsured Americans. The share of small companies offering health benefits dropped from 68% in 2000 to 62% in 2008 as the average price of premiums more than doubled according to research from the Kaiser Family Foundation. 8 million uninsured workers at companies with fewer than 100 employees accounting for about 63% of the total 26. 8 million workers without coverage estimates the Employee Benefit Research Institute.

CRRECT: New Mortgage Insurance Applications Up In June
Wall Street Journal
–>CRRECT: New Mortgage Insurance Applications Up In June ArticleCommentsmore in. EDT and repeated at 7:38 a. gave incorrect June numbers for new mortgage applications defaults and cures.

Landlord Rules 101: Get the Right Insurance Policy
New York Times
Travelers also said they’re seeing a similar increase. So is State Farm Insurance but less so. ”When you become a landlord your property goes from a residence to a place of business” says Julie Parsons vice president of consumer household at Allstate. That requires a landlord insurance policy which covers the property and your exposure if anyone gets hurt in it.
Related from Liabilitymanagementsystems: Q&A: Would-be landlords

SeaBright Insurance names C
Forbes
said Friday that it named Richard J. Gergasko its chief operating officer. The Seattle-based insurer also elected him president and chief operating officer of its SeaBright Insurance Company subsidiary where he will replace John G. Pasqualetto 67 who will stay on as CE and chairman of the unit. Pasqualetto is also president chairman and CE of.

Dems look to limit increases in cost of insurance
The Associated Press
Several officials said a last-minute agreement among Democrats on the Energy and Commerce Committee also included authority for the federal government to negotiate directly with pharmaceutical companies for lower drug prices under Medicare. The changes were part of an intensive effort Democrats have made in recent days to satisfy the conflicting demands of liberals and conservatives on the panel. “We have agreed we need to pull together” said Rep. Henry Waxman D-Calif.

CRRECTED – Insurer Genworth sticks to mortgages despite loss
Reuters
The Richmond Virginia-based insurer reported a $50 millionloss on Thursday. Excluding investment gains and lossesoperating income was 2 cents a share 15 cents short of WallStreet expectations. “Delinquencies continued to increase in Genworth’s criticaldomestic mortgage-insurance operation” said Barclays analystEric Berg in a research note. Still losses were not as severe as one quarter earlier henoted. “It just validates our thinking that the road to recoveryfor Genworth will be bumpy — but it will be a recovery roadnonetheless” said Berg. During the quarter Genworth’s U.

Strategies: Small businesses suffer on health care issue
USA Today
Here’s what I wrote in 1993 the last time health payment reform was seriously considered:”When it comes to the debate over health insurance one thing is for certain: the current system is terrible for small business. small businesses usually have the hardest time getting insurance the smallest choice among providers and pay the most for the least coverage. Many people who would like to start new businesses are stuck in jobs because they can’t afford to give up health insurance from their current employer.