More news keeps tumbling in the wake of the recent cyber attack at Sony Pictures Entertainment—Sony’s second major hacker attack in three years—and it’s not good. The fact that the breach has exposed employee information ranging from salaries to medical records to social security numbers to home addresses, not to mention five yet-to-be-released Sony movies, causing...
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In Memorium: Gordon C. Stewart 1939-2014
I.I.I. president Dr. Robert Hartwig shares his thoughts on the passing of his predecessor Gordon Stewart: The Insurance Information Institute lost one of its own last week with the passing of its former president, Gordon Stewart, at the age of 75. Like many, I was deeply saddened to hear of his passing when his wife,...
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Republicans File Suit Against Obama Administration Over Health Law
House Republicans on Friday followed through on a threat to sue President Obama over actions he has taken concerning the Affordable Care Act. The lawsuit was filed in a federal court against the Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Treasury. “Time after time, the president has chosen to ignore the will...
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Court Rejects Challenge To Obamacare Rules On Contraceptives
A federal appeals court in Washington has rejected a challenge to Obamacare regulations that allow religious nonprofits to opt out of providing birth control coverage. The Catholic Archbishop of Washington and nonprofits affiliated with the Catholic Church challenged the regulations, contending they do not go far enough. The regulations at issue were adopted by the...
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Obamacare Architect Apologizes For Remarks On The Law’s Passage
One of the main architects of the Affordable Care Act is being criticized for comments made last year in which he said the “stupidity of the American voter” was critical in getting the law to pass. Video surfaced this week of Jonathan Gruber, an MIT economist who also helped create “Romneycare” in Massachusetts, speaking at...
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Cavalcade of Risk #221: Birds of a Feather
As Congress meets in its “lame duck” session, we’re delighted to host Cavalcade of Risk #221, bringing you a flock of posts from around the insurance and risk-related blogosphere. In our opener, Rubber, Road and Lyft: Insurance Crisis? Hank Stern of InsureBlog takes another look at the important topic of ride-sharing. Now that Lyft’s had...
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Terrorism Risk Insurance: An Uncertain Future
We publish this story from the I.I.I. for its on-going significance on the day Congress returns. Even in the current lame duck session, a TRIA extension could be passed before its December 31, 2014 expiration. — The Insurance 411 It’s Election Day and as you head to the polls the insurance issue that remains at...
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Report: Drones Potential Game-Changer for Insurers
Despite regulatory challenges, privacy concerns and a lack of capabilities that could stall their widespread use, drones could have a significant impact on the property/casualty industry. A recent report from IT firm Cognizant suggests that commercial and personal lines insurers that cover property risks are likely to be early adopters of drone technology. Hat tip to...
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Joe Paduda Reviews GOP Win
With big wins in the Senate, House, and governors’ races, the GOP is poised to push its policies – here’s a brief review of potential moves. For the next two years the GOP will be in charge of Congress where it can do a lot to hamstring PPACA via budgeting procedures and incremental changes. Then, GOP...
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Post-election Health Wonk Review is up!
Thanks to Jennifer Salopek at Wing of Zock (love that name) – we have the first read of what may happen in DC come January. See the posts from Louise Norris and Jason Shafrin for insight on the subsidy calculation and the impact of the Cadillac plan tax – which will hit about 15% of us...
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