Senate abandons public option, pushes its health reform bill forward

President Barack Obama may get one of his Christmas wishes this year as the Senate took the first steps to advance its comprehensive health reform bill.  Read Story

Insurance company employee sentenced for disability insurance scheme

A former employee of an Essex County, N.J., insurance company was sentenced to 364 days in jail in connection with her role in a three-person scheme to steal more than $94,100 by filing fraudulent disability insurance claims.   Read Story

Pa. chiropractor pleads guilty to defrauding health benefit program

A Moosic, Pa., chiropractor pleaded guilty in federal court to a felony charge of making false statements involving a health care benefit program.  Read Story

Annuities provider loses California license, fined $15,000

Following the lead of several other states, California regulators have accused an Ohio-based annuities company of using unfair and deceptive practices to target elderly victims.  Read Story

Georgia agents, father and son, accused of keeping cash from Goodwill

A father and son working as insurance agents in Georgia face charges of insurance fraud after allegedly keeping thousands of dollars in premiums paid by Goodwill Industries.   Read Story

N.J. health system to pay $8 million to settle Medicaid fraud case

The parent company of two New Jersey hospitals will pay the federal government $7.95 million to resolve allegations that the facilities defrauded the Medicare program.  Read Story

New York’s insurance department names new regulator for life industry

The New York State Insurance Department has promoted its special counsel to a deputy superintendent position overseeing the life insurance industry.  Read Story

Property-casualty policy prices buck trend of last five years

Commercial property-casualty insurance prices enjoyed a “modest increase” during the third quarter, after enduring steady decreases for the past five years, according to a survey.  Read Story

Merrill Lynch agreed to pay about $425,000 to Virginia to settle allegations that some of its administrative and sales support staff involved in securities transactions in the state were not registered under the Virginia Securities Act.  Read Story

Theft, insurance fraud charges land Pa. used-car dealer in jail

The operator of a Middletown, Pa., used-care dealership allegedly used a remote control to shut down a customer’s car, repossess it and then claim pre-existing damages to the former owner’s insurance company.  Read Story