If penalties proposed for the uninsured under the Senate health reform bill are adopted, they could kill private health carriers, warns NU Editor Sam Friedman in his blog at www.NUSamSoapBox.com.

InsurBanc, the bank founded by insurance agents for insurance agents, said it has joined the American Association of Managing General Agents (AAMGA) as a business services member.

A new study by Harvard University researchers have found that increased computerization at some hospitals has not lowered costs or streamlined administration.

A recent study revealed that black bears in Yosemite National Park, Calif. have quite a penchant for raiding minivans, above all other autos.

Florida Insurance Commissioner Kevin McCarty announced he had signed an order increasing rates for the state-created insurer of last resort's high risk accounts to make them financially adequate.

Toronto-based Fairfax Financial Holdings Limited, which acquired Odyssey Re last month, announced its intention to voluntarily delist its shares from the New York Stock Exchange.

Health insurance representatives said they are concerned lawmakers may still move to amend health care legislation on the Senate floor to include a repeal of their industry's antitrust exemption.

Tower Group said William E. Hitselberger of PMA Capital Corp. will replace Francis M. Colalucci, who is retiring, as the company's chief financial officer.