Maryland
Brief: If individual mandate is illegal, health reform law must die
A Washington, D.C.-based advocacy organization says that the federal health reform should be declared unconstitutional because it is cannot function without the individual mandate, which the group also argues is unconstitutional.
Life insurance activity showed ‘marked resilience’ in 2011
The life insurance application activity for last year finished slightly above the 2010 level, spurred in part by 5.8% year-over-year growth in December.
Maryland Career Notes: Holthaus chairs Balto. Life, other promotions
Gerard E. Holthaus was elected board chairman for Baltimore Life, based in Owings Mills, Md. He has been a member of Baltimore Life’s board of directors since 1998.
Walgreen, Par sued for alleged RICO violations, drug overcharges
A health and pension fund sued Walgreen Co. and Par Pharmaceutical Co. for allegedly overcharging for generic prescriptions, which in turn allegedly cost third-party payers two to four times more for the medications.
A report expected from the Federal Insurance Office later this month, addressing how to modernize and improve insurance regulation, could significantly affect the insurance industry, according to an industry regulatory expert.
N.Y. gets 8 health insurers to more promptly update online directories
Eight health insurance companies agreed to improve the accuracy of the provider directories they post on their websites, according to deals struck with New York’s attorney general.
Rep. Jan Schakowsky told health care advocates that the November presidential election is all about health reform and how far it can be taken.
Public safety group urges Obama to push NFIP extension in Address
A national group is urging President Barack Obama to push Congress to make “meaningful reform” to the National Flood Insurance Program when he gives his State of the Union Address.
Aetna ‘refreshes’ brand with new logo in its health solutions evolution
Aetna, the national health insurer, has a new look and logo, which it says “continues its evolution from an insurance carrier to a health solutions company.”
Financial planning can have a positive effect on familial relationships for Americans who have limits on how much financial assistance they can offer to family members, a new study says.

Obama to force insurers to give out birth control when employers won’t
Group representing 119 in Congress calls individual mandate illegal
Insurer fined for charging unapproved rates on students’ policies

Brokerage firm pays $3.3M for bad-mouthing insurance broker
Employee benefit offerings only as good as the discussion about them
Sponsors of 401(k)s adding features to boost participants’ investment

Mercury Insurance seeks agents, unveils new commercial auto product
Most, least expensive 2012 car models to insure announced
Two insurance agents allegedly stole $422,000 from family brokerage


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