National Underwriter Life & Health Magazine June 15, 2009
Cover Story
Obama's Health Rx Heats Up A Growing Debate
WASHINGTON--Congress has begun drafting legislation designed to reform the U.S. healthcare delivery system, an initiative that could dramatically reshape the nation's health insurance industry.
Focus
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Filling Business Owner Financial Gaps
In an economic environment when most business owners are focused on short-term financial issues, insurance professionals need to help owners not to forget about the bigger long-term consequences.
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Get Back To The Basics With Business Owners
The other day my 14-year-old daughter came home from school and told me one of her friends was moving. Another victim of the economy? No. Much worse, the father died--suddenly.
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Double Discounted Transfers: The Silver Lining In The Downturn
It seems clear now, in 2009, that estate taxes are here to stay. Couple that with the constant barrage of negative economic reports, and your clients could probably use some good news.
News
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NAFA Pans FINRA Draft
A regulation proposed by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority could expand suitability mandates so broadly that they would cover all investment product recommendations.
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Kohl Unveils LTC Bill
Sen. Herbert Kohl has introduced a bill, S. 1177, that would press state regulators to create uniform long term care insurance solvency and consumer protection rules.
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Worksite Sales Up 4% In 2008: Eastbridge
Worksite sales increased nearly 4% percent to over $5.2 billion in 2008, up from about $5 billion in 2007, a research firm reports.
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Indexed Annuity Bill Lands In Congress
Members of the House of Representatives have introduced a bill that could quash efforts by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission to claim jurisdiction over indexed annuities.
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Obama Plan Suggests Regulation Of Large Insurers
A draft of Obama administration financial services regulatory reform principles suggests that some large insurers may come under the jurisdiction of a general federal insurance regulator.
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Kennedy Unveils Health Bill
Sen. Edward Kennedy and colleagues have released a health reform proposal that would create new coverage options and let employees pay for long term care insurance with pretax income.
Features
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Some DI Policies Using ADL Triggers
Some disability insurers are borrowing an idea from long term care insurers and using ratings of general inability to function, rather than inability to hold a job, as the benefits triggers.
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The Economy Is Driving More Flexibility In Dental Plans
Some insurers are trying to cope with the recession by making their dental plans more like flexible, targeted dental floss, and less like a big, rigid toothbrush head.
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LTC Cost Surveys--And How To Use Them
Surveys by long term care insurers, such as Genworth Financial, MetLife, New York Life and Northwestern Mutual, show the cost of a nursing home or assisted living can swiftly erase years of saving for retirement.
Opinion
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Battle Royal
If this was a sports event or some really stadium-packing group like the Rolling Stones or U2, it would have been sold out in minutes and the scalpers out in force
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Do Away With Fine Print
While watching television recently, I noticed an advertisement with a lot of fine print on the bottom of the screen. It was many lines long and impossible to read, not only because it was so small, but also because it was shown for only a few seconds.
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When You Are Green You Grow--When You Are Ripe You Rot
When I entered the life insurance business in 1956 things were simpler but nonetheless challenging.
