Crop insurance remains a stable ship in an otherwise turbulent financial services sea, even though the economy is in recession, industry subsidies were reduced through the 2008 federal farm bill, and there are concerns about further cuts.

The U.S. Senate Finance Committee this week could add specific provisions curbing the cost of medical malpractice lawsuits when it acts on broader health reform legislation this week.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services is demanding that Humana stop telling subscribers that current health care reform legislation could cause them to lose benefits and services provided through the Medicare Advantage program.

A compromise bill calling for nonprofit cooperatives rather than a government plan as an alternative health insurance source was unveiled in the U.S. Senate last week.

Health care delivery system reform legislation unveiled Wednesday by Sen. Max Baucus, D-Mont., allows cafeteria plans to offer qualified long-term care insurance--a priority of the LTC industry.

The Department of Health and Human Services is asking states, local authorities and health care groups to submit proposals within 30 days on programs that could reduce medical malpractice liability costs.

The Self-Insurance Institute of America Inc. said provisions in health care delivery system reform legislation creating a new health insurance marketplace would be "harmful" to the employment-based health care system.

The Senate Finance Committee may add provisions capping the cost of medical malpractice awards to health care reform legislation when it acts on the measure next week.