Private health insurance companies are dumping about 25,000 retirees and others with federal Medicare coverage in Oregon next year, forcing them to hunt for alternative coverage.

Federal judge refuses to rule individual mandate unconstitutional

A federal judge in Detroit rejected a request seeking to block the implementation of the individual mandate included in federal health reform.  Read Story

Philadelphia Financial buys access to New York insurance market

Philadelphia Financial, a Philadelphia-based private placement insurance company, acquired Phoenix Life and Reassurance Co. of New York, a New York-domiciled life insurance company, from The Phoenix Cos.  Read Story

TIAA to use Westchester Group to expand agricultural investment platform

Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association of America (TIAA) acquired a controlling interest in Westchester Group to enhance its agricultural investment platform.  Read Story

Consumers prefer online enrollment for health care

A recent analysis shows that consumers of all ages choose to enroll in health plans online rather than through a call center.  Read Story

Virginia, New York agencies join those recognized as top performers

A Virginia and a New York firm were recognized as two of the top six insurance firms in the country by an insurance trade group.  Read Story

‘Crowd out’ rule under health reform should be changed, Conn.’s Rell says

The federal health reform law needs to be amended, Connecticut Gov. M. Jodi Rell wrote to Kathleen Sebelius, secretary of U.S. Health and Human Services, in a letter.  Read Story

SFSP gala awards dinner planned for Oct. 28

The 10th Annual Gala Award Dinner honoring recipients of the National Capital Business Awards, sponsored by the National Capital chapter of the Society of Financial Service Professionals. Recipients of the local award participate in the national competition.  Read Story

N.Y. agent admits to stealing $26,100 from couple seeking annuity

An independent insurance agent from Queensbury, N.Y., admitted to defrauding a couple of $26,100 by not obtaining an annuity for which the couple had paid.  Read Story

The Pennsylvania House and Senate, just days before ending their session, approved a bill to extend the state’s medical malpractice fund.  Read Story