Monthly Archives: <span>March 2017</span>

Republicans in Indiana Warn of Fallout from Affordable Care Act Repeal

Republican legislative leaders in Indiana are warning that repealing the Affordable Care Act could unravel a program for poor residents that Vice President Mike Pence implemented as governor, a conservative blueprint for expanding Medicaid under the federal law. Indiana House …

Firefighters Gaining on Control of 2 Large Texas Wildfires

Firefighters have more fully contained two large wildfires in West Texas, including one that destroyed four homes and prompted the evacuation of nearly 1,200 others. Texas A&M Forest Service spokesman Phillip Truitt said March 1 that a fire in Swisher …

Manufacturing Boosting Midwest Economy, Survey Finds

Results from a monthly survey of business supply managers suggest that manufacturing is boosting economic conditions in nine Midwest and Plains states, according to a report issued on March 1. The Mid-America Business Conditions Index report said the overall economic …

Workers’ Compensation Could Pay If Obamacare Replacement Falls Short

The workers’ compensation system could end up feeling some pain if changes to health care and other social insurance programs by Congress and the Trump Administration mean some Americans lose benefits, workers’ compensation professionals were told on Thursday. Replacing Obamacare, …

Texas Businesses Line Up Against Lt. Governor’s High-Priority Insurance Bill

Major business interests are lining up against one of Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick’s top priorities — a bill that would make it harder for Texans to force their insurance companies to pay up when calamity strikes. Patrick and his allies …

Nationwide Says Extreme Weather Brings Bigger Claims, Need for Disaster Plans

More extreme weather has led to more extreme insurance claims in the U.S. over the past few years. In a review of more than 100,000 commercial catastrophe claims during a 10-year period, Mark A. Anderson, a claims executive at Nationwide …

Botkin Joins Lockton Dunning Benefits as VP in Dallas Office

Lockton Dunning Benefits has added Paul M. Botkin as the newest vice president and subject matter expert for its disability consulting and leave administration practice. Prior to joining Lockton Dunning Benefits, Botkin was responsible for building and managing multiple consulting …

Hub Acquires LISSC in Southern California

Hub International Ltd. has acquired LISSC in Santa Ana, Calif. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. LISSC’s team will join Hub California. Angelo Maroutsos and Dennis Monahan, co-owners, and David Trevino, vice president, of LISSC, will join Hub California …

Best Upgrades Ratings of Arkansas Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance

A.M. Best has upgraded the Financial Strength Rating (FSR) to A- (Excellent) from B++ (Good) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating (Long-Term ICR) to “a-” from “bbb+” of Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Company of Arkansas Inc. (Arkansas Farm Bureau), based …

Marsh & McLennan Agency Acquires Minneapolis-Based Blakestad

Marsh & McLennan Agency LLC (MMA) has acquired Blakestad Inc., a private client and commercial lines independent insurance agency. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. Headquartered in Minneapolis, Minn., Blakestad provides property/casualty insurance to privately held businesses and individuals, …