When Washington lobbyists were predicting that Sen. Chris Dodd’s retirement announcement spelled the end of financial services reform, I opined in an article I wrote for Captive Review that they were dead wrong. My theory was that with health insurance reform taken care of and no fundraising to worry about, Dodd had only this to focus on. With the help of New England Republicans-In-Name-Only, I was vindicated—his bill, S. 3217, now awaits reconciliation with its House counterpart, H.R. 4173.

As the Dodd financial reform bill (that’s S. 3217 for those in the know) awaits its final disposition on the Senate floor, it would do us well to reflect on what, if anything, it has to do with insurance.

A national independent insurance agents’ group is applauding a U.S. Senate panel for approving an amendment to financial reform legislation freeing its membership from onerous data collection.

An organization representing about 75,000 financial planning professionals “strongly urged” the U.S. Senate Banking Committee to include financial planner consumer protections that include increase regulation, oversight and competency and ethics standards for anyone calling himself a “financial planner.”

Thomas Currey, president of the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors (NAIFA), warns life insurance agents and financial service professionals that proposed legislation could change how they do business.

Specifically, …  Read →

Nine months ago, unemployed workers received a boost to continue their health care coverage through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, which extended COBRA benefits. The move, meant as a temporary way to provide a 65% premium subsidy and ease the cost of health care for the unemployed, has already expired for some.

After months of debate, Senate Democrats unveiled a comprehensive health reform bill that the president dubbed a “critical milestone,” but Senate Republicans warned is far from perfect.

Senate Democrats have unveiled a comprehensive financial reform bill, calling for “responsibility and accountability” in the financial sector through several provisions, including those affecting the insurance industry.

After a month of mark-ups, amendments and compromise, the Senate’s Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee has passed legislation to overhaul U.S. healthcare.

The HELP Committee’s legislation includes a government-run health …  Read →

A group of Senate Democrats, led by Sen. Ted Kennedy (D-Mass.), has kicked off debate on the future of health care reform in America with legislation that fails to address …  Read →