LPL chooses Guardian for retirement program products, support

The nation’s largest independent broker-dealer, LPL Financial Corp., has chosen Guardian Life Insurance Co. of America as its strategic partner for its new Retirement Plus Program.  Read Story

Baucus’ plan shuns public option, calls for other insurance reforms

Sen. Max Baucus, chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, moved forward with a health reform bill today (Wednesday) that omits the public option present in all other Congressional bills and calls instead for health cooperatives.  Read Story

Florida insurance agent accused of stealing $1.8 million in premiums

A Gainesville, Fla. insurance agent is being held on $1 million bond in a county jail, accused of pocketing $1.8 million in premiums for 20 fake businesses he allegedly started.  Read Story

A Freeport, N.Y., woman was arrested after investigators discovered she improperly collected $39,000 in workers’ compensation benefits.  Read Story

Kanjorski: Public option ‘important,’ but not ‘essential’ to reform

A public health insurance option to compete with private insurers is one way to reform America’s health care system, but not the only way, according to one Pennsylvania congressman.  Read Story

Corzine credits state initiatives for 11% drop in N.J.’s uninsured

Citing aggressive initiatives to enroll those without health insurance in New Jersey, Gov. Jon Corzine said the state is “setting the national standard” to ensure affordable health care for residents.  Read Story

‘Advantage’ evident for seniors in Medicare program, AHIP says

Targeted for cuts in ongoing discussions on health reform, seniors enrolled in Medicare Advantage are receiving higher quality health care, according to new data released by America’s Health Insurance Plans.  Read Story

Ex-Massachusetts commissioner praised for auto deregulation efforts

As she exits her position as Massachusetts Insurance Commissioner, Nonnie Burnes is drawing praise from an insurance trade group and a free-market think tank for her work to end state-set auto rating for auto insurance.  Read Story

BenefitMall launches online health information exchange

BenefitMall has launched HealthcareExchange.com, which the nation’s largest general agency said should serve as an online community for industry experts to weigh in on topics affecting the healthcare market, including national healthcare reform.  Read Story

New website hopes to clarify financial designation mystification

The American College in Bryn Mawr, Pa., is hoping to take some of the confusion out of which designation is the best fit for financial planners through a new website offering what it calls “unbiased and interactive” means to evaluate options.  Read Story