President Barack Obama has told Congress that any health care legislation he signs must give individuals and small businesses the ability to purchase affordable coverage.

Sen. Chris Dodd, D-Conn., said he will not take the chairmanship of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pension Committee left vacant by the death of Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass., and will remain as Senate Banking Committee chairman.

The House passed legislation to reform and streamline regulations for nonadmitted commercial surplus lines insurers and reinsurers.

Health insurance reform legislation drafted for the Senate Finance Committee would create a network of nonprofit cooperatives as an alternative provider for the coverage, according to an outline obtained by National Underwriter.

Health insurance reform legislation drafted for the Senate Finance Committee would create a network of nonprofit cooperatives as an alternative provider for the coverage, according to an outline obtained by National Underwriter.

Strong voter push-back over controversial health care reform proposals, cost concerns and the political vacuum left by the death of Sen. Edward Kennedy are likely to prompt Congress to ultimately pass more moderate, "reform-lite" legislation.

Insurance agents have won a critical change in the House Energy and Commerce Committee version of health care reform legislation that allows them to remain a crucial part of the distribution system.

Two Florida commercial and personal lines insurers with 18,000 policyholders have been ordered into liquidation, it was announced.