Willis Group Holdings has eliminated approximately 600 positions so far this year as part of its operational review, leading to a second-quarter charge of $18 million and contributing to a 2 percent drop in net income.

California-based physicians and medical facilities writer NORCAL plans to combine with Texas-based Medicus, a writer of physicians’ liability coverage across 31 states, forming the 10th largest med-mal insurer.

Increases in the cost and frequency of physician-dispensed medications continue to negatively impact the Florida workers’ compensation system.