Crop insurance carriers and independent agents say the U.S. Agriculture Department's latest proposed cuts in subsidies in the program as well as a "soft cap" on agents' commissions are both unwarranted and hurtful.

The National Flood Insurance Program has expired and been shut down after a lone senator blocked omnibus legislation that included renewal of NFIP.

The House overwhelmingly approved legislation repealing the antitrust exemption afforded health insurers through the McCarran-Ferguson Act--but further action on the legislation is unlikely.

Life insurance industry representatives attacked proposed health care legislation today that would tax mid-to-upper income individuals on income earned from annuities and other investments.

So far State Farm is the only insurer to unearth data linking auto accident claims to problems with Toyota manufactured cars and trucks, but airing industry statistics is still likely during two House hearings.

House legislation to repeal the antitrust exemption afforded health insurers will not apply to medical malpractice insurers, according to the latest draft of the bill.

The federal government has pushed back the deadline for reporting requirements under the Medicare Secondary Payer Act until next January, a decision greeted with relief by workers' compensation providers and self-insured risk managers.

Congress will act to extend the National Flood Insurance Program before its current authorization expires on Feb. 28, but such reauthorization will not be included in jobs legislation as originally planned, industry lobbyists said late last week.