North Dakota News

U.S. Senate Panel Rejects Public Healthcare Option; More Votes Ahead

A U.S. Senate panel Tuesday rejected a government-run “public” insurance option as part of a broad healthcare overhaul, handing insurers an early victory and setting the stage for a long fight over one of the bill’s most contentious issues. The …

Grand Forks, N.D., Flood Insurance Map Now Available

Grand Forks County, N.D., residents are getting a look at a proposed new flood insurance rate map. Zoning administrator Bev Collings says it’s the first major change in the map since 1977. She says it’s long overdue. Officials asked for …

New Markets

The following markets were selected from the MyNewMarkets database of 25,000 coverages and programs. To find additional markets, or to submit markets, go to www.MyNewMarkets.com. Misc. Medical Malpractice Market Detail: NAS Insurance Services Inc. gives agents the ability to provide …

Employers Must Keep Company Picnics and Team-Building Activities Voluntary

When Fun ‘n Games at Work Take a Bad Turn Phyllis Young and her co-worker and friend, Sarah Bales, won the hula-hoop contest and the balloon toss, making them the favorites to also win the three-legged sack race. Young and …

Swett & Crawford Offers Temporary Employee Workers’ Comp Coverage

As the trend toward utilization of leased and temporary employees has grown —an operational business model that helps employers to better manage their labor costs — there has been an increased demand for essential workers’ compensation coverage. In response to …

It Figures

97 Former Maineville, Ohio, insurance agent William R. Appleton, II, was sentenced Sept. 1 in a U.S. District Court to 97 months imprisonment for one count of mail fraud and 60 months imprisonment, to be served concurrently, for one count …

Declarations

Not Wasting Time “I will not waste time with those who have made the calculation that it’s better politics to kill this plan than improve it.” —President Barack Obama, in a Sept. 9 speech before Congress outlining his plan for …

Obama Gives Proponents Hope for Medical Malpractice Reform

Following President Barack Obama’s offer of compromise on an issue that has long divided Washington, congressional health care negotiators are considering proposals to foster alternatives to medical malpractice lawsuits. The possibility that malpractice changes could be part of health care …

Health Insurer Under Fire From North Dakota Insurance Department

An audit by the North Dakota Department of Insurance found that Noridian Mutual Insurance Company, doing business as Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota (BCBS), racked up tens of thousands of dollars in excessive expenses paid with policyholders premiums. …

Arkansas Among States Said to Be Lax on Motor Carrier Safety

A new analysis of government data reveals that more than 28,000 motor carrier companies that operate 200,000 trucks have violated federal safety regulations. The trial bar association, the American Association for Justice (AAJ), said it found commuters are sharing roads …