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46+ min ago (270+ words) The Eleventh Circuit's recent decision in L. Squared Industries, Inc. v. Nautilus Insurance Co. offers important guidance for policyholders navigating notice provisions under claims-made insurance policies'particularly when a policy imposes both a policy-period notice requirement and a separate "prompt notice" clause. In August 2018, L. Squared received an environmental report identifying groundwater contamination. However, it did not notify Nautilus until April 2019'eight months later but still within the overall policy period. Nautilus denied coverage, citing the policy's strict seven-day notice requirement. The Eleventh Circuit affirmed summary judgment for Nautilus but clarified how notice provisions operate in claims-made policies. The court explained that the essence of a claims-made policy is timely notice to the insurer within the policy period. It distinguished between two types of notice clauses: The court held that breaching the second type of provision does not automatically forfeit coverage. Instead, it applied…...

1+ hour, 27+ min ago (334+ words) Two New Hampshire child care centers will share more than $1 million in federal grants to expand and address the state's child care shortage. A third center plans to increase the childhood education workforce with its grant. The awards are through the Northern Border Regional Commission Catalyst program. The money will add 34 child care spots at the Well Collaborative NH in Claremont and allow the Keene Day Care Center to be able to enroll an additional 20 spots, bringing its capacity to 90. The state's child care shortage has led thousands of parents to forgo work, making it harder for employers to find workers, according to a study earlier this year from the New Hampshire Fiscal Policy Institute. The Northern Border Regional Commission, a federal-state partnership created in 2008 to support community and economic development near the Canada-United States border, awarded nearly $7 million to…...

1+ hour, 29+ min ago (296+ words) Pfizer is set to cut jobs in Switzerland as part of a multi-year effort to lower expenses, as reported by Bloomberg. According to information not yet made public, the company aims to cut staff from around 300 to 70. The reduction follows a broader downgrading of the drug manufacturer's Swiss operations. In early December 2025, Pfizer's Swiss country manager Sabine Bruckner was replaced by Rea Lal, who now heads the local business but with a "diminished mandate." Bruckner has moved to a different role. Pfizer is pursuing a cost-reduction plan of more than $7bn by 2027, as it seeks to restore growth in the years following the pandemic. A spokesperson described in an email statement a "streamlining and realigning" of resources to minimise complexity. Pfizer did not comment on specific numbers. The job cuts come as the cpmpany steps up activity in the obesity treatment…...

1+ hour, 39+ min ago (300+ words) New York health plans say a Medicaid contractor is breaking the rules, according to Spectrum News 1. Public Partnerships LLC, which oversees the state's $9B home care program, is demanding a 55-cent hourly rate hike " a move critics say violates antitrust laws and its state contract. PPL claims the increase just covers a new'MoreMedicaid home care company accused of antitrust violations New York health plans say a Medicaid contractor is breaking the rules, according to Spectrum News 1. Public Partnerships LLC, which oversees the state's $9B home care program, is demanding a 55-cent hourly rate hike " a move critics say violates antitrust laws and its state contract. PPL claims the increase just covers a new minimum wage law and won't boost profits. But health plans argue the flat-rate demand is anti-competitive and unjustified. The Health Department says it approved the hike and insists it's…...

1+ hour, 42+ min ago (367+ words) A new Republican proposal in the Senate aims to give Americans up to $1,500 in health savings accounts as an alternative to extending Obamacare subsidies set to expire on December 31st." USA Today shares that the plan, introduced by Sens. Bill Cassidy of Louisiana and Mike Crapo of Idaho, targets enrollees in lower-cost bronze or catastrophic Affordable Care Act plans who earn less than 700% of the federal poverty level'about $109,550 for a single person or $225,050 for a family of four." Those aged 18 to 49 would receive $1,000 annually, while people 50 to 64 get $1,500, with funds restricted from covering abortions or gender transition procedures." The payments come as ACA premium tax credits, enhanced during the pandemic, face expiration at the end of the year, potentially hiking costs for over 20 million enrollees. Critics note the amounts fall short of typical deductibles, leaving many still exposed to big bills....

1+ hour, 45+ min ago (1001+ words) But with neither piece of legislation expected to pass, the problem is yet unresolved with just three weeks until the subsidies run dry and some Affordable Care Act enrollees see their premium costs more than double. Meanwhile, the political stakes of rising premiums are coming into view as affordability concerns have emerged as a key issue for American voters going into the midterms next year. Here's a look at the subsidies in limbo, the proposals to address the problem and how American voters are feeling about the issue. More than 24 million people have Affordable Care Act health insurance, a group including farmers, ranchers, small business owners and other self-employed people who don't have other health insurance options through their work. Enrollees who make less than 400% of the federal poverty level qualify for permanent subsidies in the program that help them…...

1+ hour, 45+ min ago (1001+ words) But with neither piece of legislation expected to pass, the problem is yet unresolved with just three weeks until the subsidies run dry and some Affordable Care Act enrollees see their premium costs more than double. Meanwhile, the political stakes of rising premiums are coming into view as affordability concerns have emerged as a key issue for American voters going into the midterms next year. Here's a look at the subsidies in limbo, the proposals to address the problem and how American voters are feeling about the issue. More than 24 million people have Affordable Care Act health insurance, a group including farmers, ranchers, small business owners and other self-employed people who don't have other health insurance options through their work. Enrollees who make less than 400% of the federal poverty level qualify for permanent subsidies in the program that help them…...

1+ hour, 54+ min ago (254+ words) The first change is related to access to telehealth and other similar services. The OBBB has made permanent an HSA account holder's "ability to receive telehealth and other remote care services," even when they don't meet high-deductible health plan requirements, while remaining eligible to contribute toward an HSA, the IRS said. This is effective for plan years that begin on or after Jan. 1, 2025. The second change made by OBBB is that it treats Bronze and Catastrophic health plans as high-deductible health plans. However, with the passage of the OBBB, bronze and catastrophic plans available through health insurance marketplaces are now considered "HSA-compatible" as of Jan. 1, 2026, the IRS said. "This expands the ability of people enrolled in these plans to contribute to HSAs, which they generally have not been able to do in the past," it said. The third change made…...

1+ hour, 57+ min ago (268+ words) Highmark is adding more than 1 million members through an affiliation with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas City, the health insurers announced Thursday. The deal, which is expected to close next year pending regulatory approval, will make Highmark the third largest Blue Cross Blue Shield-affiliated organization in the country with more than 8 million members. It also represents the Pittsburgh-based insurer's first time breaking out of the East Coast. As of now, Highmark's footprint is limited to Pennsylvania, Delaware, West Virginia and New York. "It's a geographic departure, but today's world is a little different," Highmark CEO David Holmberg said Thursday on a call with other executives. "You don't have to be next door in order to impact how care is delivered, access to care and affordability of care." Highmark already has a national footprint through its dental and stop-loss insurance…...

2+ hour, 38+ min ago (265+ words) For more than 85 years, Blue KC has served the Kansas City area and surrounding communities. This affiliation is a significant step toward Blue KC's long-term growth and expanding the value it delivers to its members, employers, providers and the broader community. Under this affiliation, Blue KC remains a locally governed, not-for-profit company in Kansas City and gains access to new technology, capabilities and resources. Blue KC will maintain its local leadership, and, through this affiliation, will strengthen its capacity to offer accessible and affordable healthcare for members and the community for years to come. "Highmark and Blue KC have both proudly served their communities and improved the health of generations of families," said David Holmberg, Chief Executive Officer of Highmark Health. "Our affiliation is a natural fit because we share a strong commitment to employees, a community-focused culture and a…...