Washington News

Oklahoma Senate Approves Workers’ Compensation Judge Plan

Republicans have pushed another issue to a statewide vote to counter a gubernatorial veto – this time a plan to require Senate confirmation of Workers’ Compensation Court judges. The Oklahoma Senate gave final approval to a joint resolution referring the …

Oklahoma House Passes Workers’ Comp Judge Resolution

A resolution that would ask voters to require Senate confirmation of Oklahoma Worker’s Compensation Court judges has passed the Oklahoma House less than a month after Gov. Brad Henry vetoed similar legislation. The House voted 60-37 for the bill and …

Republicans Explain Their Health Care Reform Plan

While President Obama may believe the stars are aligned for major health reform this year it is far from certain whether Congress will pass a bill that works. The groups that are most likely to unravel this effort are not …

Republican Health Care Reform Nixes Public Option, New Taxes

Congressional Republicans today unveiled a health care reform plan they hope will compete with what Democrats are planning to offer. U.S. Senators Tom Coburn, M.D., of Oklahoma, and Richard Burr, of North Carolina, along with U.S. Representatives Paul Ryan of …

AAMGA Conference Update: What Does Washington Know About Surplus Lines Insurance?

At the annual conference of the Association of Managing General Agencies (AAMGA) now underway in Boca Raton, Florida, attendees are very much attuned to what’s going on up north in Washington, D.C. What do AAMGA members think about what’s going …

The Hartford’s Wolin Confirmed as U.S. Treasury Deputy Secretary

Neal S. Wolin has been confirmed by the U.S. Senate to serve as the deputy secretary of the U.S. Department of the Treasury. In February, Wolin was named deputy assistant to the President and deputy counsel to the President for …

People

QBE Regional Insurance recently added Charles Valinotti and Mike Bondura to its leadership team headquartered in Sun Prairie, Wis. Valinotti, senior vice president of Personal Lines, oversees personal property and casualty insurance offerings for QBE Regional’s four subsidiaries. His diverse …

Merry Crist Mess

Not all deregulation measures are good; some are a mixed blessing. Consider HB 1171 that passed the Florida House and Senate and was sent to Gov. Charlie Crist, a regular critic of the industry who was reportedly hesitant to sign …

Workers’ Compensation Insurers Break Even in 2008

Recession Reduces Claims but Poor Investment Climate Frustrates Insurers The workers’ compensation insurance industry experienced a year of mostly solid results in 2008, according to Dennis Mealy, NCCI Holdings Inc. chief actuary. In its annual “State of the Line” report, …

2007 State Obesity Rates

2007 State Obesity Rates State % Alabama 30.3 Alaska 27.5 Arizona 25.4 Arkansas 28.7 California 22.6 Colorado 18.7 Connecticut 21.2 Delaware 27.4 Washington DC 21.8 Florida 23.6 Georgia 28.2 Hawaii 21.4 Idaho 24.5 Illinois 24.9 Indiana 26.8 Iowa 26.9 Kansas …