5.7-magnitude quake jolts Chile
The U.S. Geological Survey said that a 5.7-magnitude earthquake struck Coquimbo coast in Chile on Dec. 11.
Supreme Court rejects religious challenge to NY vaccine mandate
The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday rejected challenges brought by a group of Christian doctors and nurses and an organization that promotes vaccine skepticism to New York’s refusal to allow religious exemptions to the state’s mandate that health care workers be vaccinated against COVID-19.
Supreme Court snubs J&J’s bid to avoid Mississippi talc lawsuit
The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday declined to hear a bid by Johnson & Johnson to throw out a lawsuit brought by the state of Mississippi over allegations that the company failed to inform residents that its talc-based products increased the risks of developing ovarian cancer.
Widow waited too long to assert claim for death benefits
The North Carolina Court of Appeals ruled that a workers filing of a claim for benefits for an injury shortly before his death did not satisfy the statutory deadline for his widow to file a claim for death benefits.
Investigation hits drugmakers on pricing, gaming system
Democrats on the House Oversight Committee on Dec. 10 rolled out the results of an investigation that details how drugmakers target the U.S. market for price hikes, game the patent system to maintain monopolies and beat back competition from generics.
Fitch expects health insurance market to be less volatile in 2022
The U.S. health insurance landscape is poised to see less industry volatility, making for a stable 2022, according to analysis by Fitch Ratings Inc.
Window closing for smallest employers to enroll in health plan
The deadline is fast approaching for small businesses in Connecticut that want to sign up for a small group plan with only a few employees participating.
Massachusetts sues Aspen Dental alleging fraudulent billing practice
Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey is suing a dental care chain for allegedly deceiving patients and cheating them out of their money.
County changes health plans to keep costs down
Branch County, Michigan, officials made changes to the county’s health insurance benefit programs to save employees money for 2022 after a costly claims year for county government.
Telemedicine bills expand virtual care access for injured workers
The COVID-19 pandemic brought health care services into U.S. homes, and even beyond the pandemic, telemedicine is here to stay. Catering to residents’ needs and securing accessibility to health care, state legislatures saw over 1,000 telemedicine-related bills filed in 2021, according to The Patient Advocate Pharmacy.
Probe into Amazon.com Illinois building collapse opened
An investigation into an Amazon.com Inc building collapse in Illinois on Friday night has been opened by the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration, an official at the U.S. Department of Labor said on Monday.
Insurtech lobbying group launches
A regulatory and public policy advocacy group for the burgeoning insurtech sector launched Monday.
Bills to make parking lot injuries compensable
New Jersey lawmakers are considering two workers compensation-related bills that would define the workday as that which begins in an employee parking lot and would permit injured workers under some conditions to be examined by their own physician.
Intellectual property specialist rejoins Willis
Willis Towers Watson PLC on Monday named Kim Cauthorn as head of the intellectual property practice within its risk and broking segment.
RSG to buy Pennsylvania alternative risk specialist
Ryan Specialty Group said Monday it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Keystone Risk Partners LLC, based in Media, Pennsylvania.
Davies Group buys actuarial consulting business
London-based insurance and claims management company Davies Group Ltd. said Monday it has signed a purchase agreement to acquire Georgia-based insurance actuarial consulting business Merlinos & Associates Inc.
AssuredPartners acquires Cincinnati-based broker
AssuredPartners Inc. said Monday it has acquired Cincinnati-based American Risk Services LLC.
High court asks government for views on Bayer weedkiller case
The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday asked President Joe Bidens administration for its views on whether the justices should hear Bayer AGs bid to dismiss claims by customers who contend its Roundup weedkiller causes cancer, as the company seeks to avoid potentially billions of dollars in damages.
Pandemic a pain in the neck
Its clear the pandemic took its toll on Americans eyes, backs and joints, according to an analysis of Google searches released Monday by Harmony Healthcare IT, which found a 40% increase in searches for all tech ailments since the start of COVID-19.
Software with key vulnerability sends cyber defenders scrambling
A newly discovered vulnerability in a widely used software library is causing mayhem on the internet, forcing cyber defenders to scramble as hackers rush to exploit the weakness.