Latest Politics Headlines
All the headlines from our Politics Topic Page, ordered by recency.
Insurer Group Supports State Regulation at Senate Hearing
Jul 11 2006 // The National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies (NAMIC) is convinced that insurance regulatory reform at the state level is the best and safest course for consumers and insurers alike, said a Namic witness in...
Montana’s Morrison loses race for Senate
Jun 19 2006 // Montana State Auditor John Morrison lost in the primary election to become the Democratic nominee for a U.S. Senate seat. Morrison placed second in five-person field, with 38,380 votes. The winner, State Senate President...
Ill. GOP Lawmakers Question Timing of Kid’s Health Program Ads
Jun 15 2006 // Illinois Republican lawmakers are critizing the state’s new program to offer free or low-cost health insurance to all children, demanding to know how many people are signing up and criticizing the timing of a TV ad...
Congressional Negotiators Agree to Housing, Levee Dollars for La.
Jun 9 2006 // Louisiana Gov. Kathleen Blanco’s $7.5 billion aid program for people whose homes were heavily damaged by hurricanes Katrina and Rita got a giant boost June 7 as congressional negotiators agreed to federal funding for...
Ind. Democrats Vote to Nix Free Health Benefit for Retirees
Jun 2 2006 // Indiana Democrats returning to the state Senate next year have agreed not to accept state health care retirement benefits, their leaders said Wednesday. Senate Minority Leader Richard Young, D-Milltown, made the request in...
Senate OKs Paulison as FEMA Chief as Senator Wins Flood Claims Appeal Vow
May 30 2006 // The U.S. Senate confirmed R. David Paulison as FEMA’s chief last Friday, hours after a senator ended his stall on the nomination over problems with the agency’s flood insurance program. Paulison’s...
Fla. Democrats Renew Calls to Fix Hurricane Insurance
May 26 2006 // Saying Floridians are “storming mad” about rising property insurance premiums, Democrats have renewed a call for lawmakers to do more on the issue, and warned that if they don’t, angry voters could take...
Senate Unveils Flood Program Bill
May 26 2006 // With its chairman proclaiming the program is at a “crossroads,” the U.S. Senate Banking Committee this week advanced bipartisan legislation to bolster the nation’s debt-ridden flood insurance...
Insurance Verification Bill Passes Okla. House, Heads to Senate
May 26 2006 // Hoping to drive down Oklahoma’s high automobile insurance rates, the Oklahoma House of Representatives voted May 25 to crack down on uninsured drivers. House Bill 3115, by state Rep. Ron Peterson, would create an...
R.I. Senate Wants to Raise Liability Limits for Taxis, Shuttles
May 25 2006 // The Rhode Island Senate has approved legislation to require taxis and transport vehicles such as airport shuttles to carry $300,000 worth of personal injury and property damage insurance. The bill, introduced by Sen....
Senate Republicans fail again in efforts to cap medical malpractice awards
May 22 2006 // News Currents Senate Republican leaders have again failed in their efforts to place limits on medical malpractice pain and suffering awards. Senate Democrats successfully stymied two Republican bills, one a broad bill...
GOP Alters Cover Tennessee Bill to Eliminate Risk
May 17 2006 // The Senate has approved a change to Gov. Phil Bredesen’s Cover Tennessee health care proposal to eliminate all risk for the state, a move administration officials said could eliminate any private insurers from...
Wage Audit of New Mexico Republican Party Finds No Discrepancies
May 15 2006 // A New Mexico Department of Labor audit of the state Republican Party’s payroll records found no discrepancies in wages reported by the party. The GOP also complied with reporting requirements under laws covering...
State-Exempt Small Group Health Measure Falters In Senate
May 14 2006 // A bill to give small businesses a cheaper option when providing health insurance stalled in the U.S. Senate last week. Under the proposal endorsed by President Bush, businesses could buy insurance through regional or...
Democrats Vow to Block Bill Freeing Health Policies from State Mandates
May 11 2006 // Senate Democrats pledged this week to fight provisions in Republican-backed legislation that they said would reduce health insurance coverage for millions. The bill would let small businesses join across state lines to buy...
Michigan Senate Votes to Tie Health Insurance to Behavior
May 11 2006 // Health insurers and HMOs in Michigan could offer financial incentives to smaller employers that want to reward workers for healthy behavior under legislation passed unanimously May 9 in the state Senate. Supporters of the...
Texas Senate Approves Tax and Education Reform Bill
May 11 2006 // The Texas Senate passed a measure late on May 10 that would cut local school property taxes by one-third over the next two years, put more money into Texas schools, increase equity between districts, and raise teacher...
La. Senate Approves Bill Extending Hurricane Claims Deadline
May 10 2006 // The Louisiana Senate approved a bill that would extend the deadline for victims of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita to file claims with their insurance companies. Sen. Julie Quinn’s bill would give policyholders through...
Senate Republicans Fail Again in Efforts to Cap Medical Malpractice Awards
May 8 2006 // Senate Republican leaders have again failed in their efforts to place limits on medical malpractice pain and suffering awards. Senate Democrats successfully stymied two Republican bills, one a broad bill affecting medical...
lll. Attorney General, 38 others, oppose health plan pending in U.S. Senate
May 8 2006 // Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan sent a letter at the end of April to U.S. Senate members urging them to oppose a bill that would dramatically change the health insurance marketplace by preempting state-mandated...