Regulation/Legislation

As Congress prepares for 2011 discussions on an optional federal charter, a new association representing small-to-midsize insurers will focus primarily on opposing any federal regulation of the industry.

The American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine soon will release the Third Edition of its Occupational Medicine Practice Guidelines: Evaluation and Management of Common Health Problems and Functional Recovery in Workers.

With litigation and ballot initiatives mounting over the federal mandate to buy health insurance, NU Editor Sam Friedman wonders if the reform law will survive such challenges. Offer your view on his blog at www.NUSamSoapBox.com.

Sen. Jay Rockefeller, D-W.Va., threatened to resurrect his quest for a public health insurance option after failing to win a commitment from federal and state officials for regulations imposing tight control over administrative costs in premiums.

Trade groups representing large insurers are urging the Treasury Department to ensure that the Federal Insurance Office (FIO), created under the financial services reform bill, plays a strong role in representing the U.S. on global insurance issues.

This statement is part of an ongoing "public awareness campaign" against contingents launched by Mr. Plumeri in April of this year.