Archive for the Insurance News Category
House and Senate negotiators agreed Tuesday night to a $1.1 trillion spending package that would combine six of the seven remaining fiscal year 2010 spending bills, including the Financial Services (HR 3170) appropriations bill that would end a ban on Washington, D.C.'s use of local tax funds to cover abortion services, the AP/Houston Chronicle reports. The combined measure could be voted on as early as Thursday (Taylor, AP/Houston Chronicle , 12/9). In addition to Financial Services, the package will include the FY 2010 Commerce-Justice-Science ... [Full Story]
12.11.2009| Insurance News | Jessen
The Hill: "The Senate voted against strengthening restrictions for federal funding of abortion Tuesday evening, a development that could imperil Democrats' efforts to pass an underlying healthcare reform bill. Sen. Ben Nelson (D-Neb.), who offered the amendment, had indicated that he could support a Republican filibuster of the healthcare reform bill if the abortion language were not added to it." Senators voted 54-45 to table the measure. Six Democrats voted with Nelson to support the amendment, but they - perhaps unlike Nelson - "are not expected ... [Full Story]
12.11.2009| Insurance News | Jessen
The Senate on Tuesday voted 54-45 to table an amendment to its health reform bill that would prohibit coverage of abortion services in any health plan insuring people who receive federal subsidies, though the action "is unlikely to be the final word on how the issue is dealt with in the health bill," the New York Times reports. The amendment, offered by Sens. Ben Nelson (D-Neb.) and Orrin Hatch (R-Utah), was virtually identical to an amendment adopted in the House health reform bill (HR 3962) that was introduced by Rep. Bart Stupak (D-Mich.). The ... [Full Story]
12.11.2009| Insurance News | Jessen
Low-interest federal disaster loans are now available for residents and business owners affected by severe storms, tornadoes and flooding that began Oct. 29 in Pulaski County, according to news release from Small Business Administration Administrator Karen G. Mills.The disaster declaration makes SBA assistance available in Pulaski County and the "Low-interest federal disaster loans are available to homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes and private, nonprofit organizations whose property was damaged or destroyed by the disaster," said Linda Nelson, ... [Full Story]
12.11.2009| Insurance News | Jessen
A 24,000-SF retail building in west Little Rock tipped the scales at $1.4 million.Keisler White Inc., led by Randy Keisler, bought the former Hank's Fine Furniture location at 11121 W. Markham St. The seller is HCB LLLP, led by Henry C. Browne.The deal is financed with a five-year loan of $1.17 million from Bank of America of Charlotte, N.C. The 1.1-acre development is leased to Cleo's Furniture.The location was acquired for $345,000 in June 1997 from Southwestern Bell Telephone Co.A 5,900-SF office building in North Little Rock changed hands in ... [Full Story]
12.11.2009| Insurance News | Jessen
ALLENTOWN, Pa. - The administration welcomed figures showing a significant slowing of job losses as President Barack Obama visited a Pennsylvania metal works plant Friday and visited with hard-hat workers.At the White House, press secretary Robert Gibbs said new statistics showing a relatively moderate shedding of 11,000 jobs last month indicate the economy is "getting the right trend going in hiring." But he also said that even that loss was unacceptable, telling reporters the nation must "get back to an economy that is not just growing, but is ... [Full Story]
12.11.2009| Insurance News | Jessen
The deadline to submit nominations for the Northwest Arkansas Business Journal's 2010 Fast 15 has been extended until Jan. 29. The previous deadline was Dec. 4.The Fast 15 will recognize 15 twenty-something professionals who are on the fast track to success.The Business Journal annually recognizes business success in our "40 Under 40" feature, and we'll continue that in August.The 2010 Fast 15 class will be featured in the annual Young Professionals edition of the Business Journal in May.But with the Fast 15, we'll introduce you to other talented ... [Full Story]
12.11.2009| Insurance News | Jessen
A second round of mass vaccination clinics to immunize Arkansans against both seasonal and H1N1 influenza will begin Dec. 7, the Arkansas Department of Health announced Monday.The clinics will be held in nearly every county through Dec. 18, according to Randy Lee, director of ADH's Center for Local Public Health.The clinics will be giving H1N1 (swine flu) vaccine to anyyone - not just higher-risk priority groups - while supplies last, including children needing second shots for full protection, Lee said.For a complete list of locations and times ... [Full Story]
12.11.2009| Insurance News | Jessen
People are "circling ... like vultures" to get Gene Cauley's money.That's what John Wesley Hall, the renowned Little Rock defense attorney who was recruited to keep the former Little Rock lawyer out of federal prison, told a judge up in New York at Cauley's sentencing hearing. Cauley had delivered just $500,000 of the $9.3 million in restitution he was supposed to pay and indicated he didn't deserve prison time.It was a perfect analogy because Cauley for years was king of the vultures. He feasted on companies when their stock prices fell, filed class-action ... [Full Story]
12.11.2009| Insurance News | Jessen
What began 82 years ago as Little Rock Junior College, tucked away in a few classrooms on the second floor of what is now known as Little Rock Central High School, has developed into a behemoth higher education institution that occupies more than 2.5 million SF under roof on more than 272 acres in central Arkansas.And the explosive growth of the University of Arkansas at Little Rock is by no means slackening.In addition, the school has tackled the revitalization of the area surrounding its campus. UALR's strategic growth plan will benefit homeowners ... [Full Story]
12.11.2009| Insurance News | Jessen
U.S. Sen. Blanche Lincoln, in Little Rock on Monday, talked to reporters about health care reform, telling the press what she received in exchange for her vote to open debate on the Senate bill.Click below to watch the video. Click here to read the story: Lincoln: More Cost Savings Needed in Health Bill ... [Full Story]
12.11.2009| Insurance News | Jessen
This will bring to 855 the number of job losses at the Philadelphia insurer since June."As of October, we have an operating income and net loss, and we do not expect to make the annual operating margin goal," Joseph Frick, Independence Blue Cross chief executive officer, explained in an annual report distributed to employees today."There are many factors contributing to the unfavorable performance, including higher-than-expected medical costs and a business environment that continues to have an adverse effect on our membership and revenue," Frick ... [Full Story]
12.11.2009| Insurance News | Jessen
This will bring to 855 the number of job losses at the Philadelphia-based insurer since June."As of October, we have an operating income and net loss, and we do not expect to make the annual operating margin goal," Joseph Frick, Independence Blue Cross chief executive, wrote in a report explaining why staff would be cut."There are many factors contributing to the unfavorable performance, including higher-than-expected medical costs and a business environment that continues to have an adverse effect on our membership and revenue," Frick wrote in ... [Full Story]
12.11.2009| Insurance News | Jessen
