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.

The U.S. Senate’s passage of financial services reform May 20 has drawn the praise of two insurance industry trade groups, both pleased to see that senators deemed property-casualty insurance different than other financial service sectors.

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.

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.

Legislation aimed at creating a national insurance office has a new name, but the same proponent seeking to establish a federal insurance regulator.

Two national insurance agents groups are commending the Obama Administration for the clarity of language included in new details of its proposed Office of National Insurance, although one of the …  Read →

The president of the National Association of Professional Insurance Agents (PIA) is voicing his concern over efforts in Washington, D.C., to reform health care and state insurance regulation, likening it …  Read →

Pennsylvania Rep. Paul Kanjorski said that if the Obama Administration’s proposed Consumer Financial Protection Agency is passed, an optional federal insurance charter would be unnecessary.

Paul Kanjorski

“After this [is approved], …  Read →

Five of the nation’s largest organizations representing the life insurance industry are voicing their support for optional federal insurance regulation to legislators.

In a statement issued June 15, the American Council …  Read →