During the coronavirus lockdowns, Washington State Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler, a Democrat, used his emergency rulemaking powers to ban the use of credit scores in determining insurance rates. He said the rule was so necessary for preserving the public’s health…
Sacramento After years of devastating wildfire seasons, California is facing a full-on insurance crisis that you can add to the list of its other crises. In this case, homeowners who live in wooded areas — the wildland-urban interface, as actuaries…
Vice President Kamala Harris campaigned against the idea of patients having to get private insurance company approval prior to receiving medical care. She was worried about the paperwork and the delay it might cause for patients. Now, the Biden administration is…
Sacramento The concept of insurance is a simple one that revolves around pooling risks — and dates back to the 1700s B.C. Under the Code of Hammurabi, Babylonian King Hammurabi instituted an insurance-like system for cargo ships. It was a…
Sacramento As wildfires raged across the West this year, Gov. Gavin Newsom put the blame squarely on global warming — and warned Californians that we need to embrace far-reaching policies that change the trajectory of the Earth’s climate to avoid…
This spring my 15-year-old got Invisalign to straighten her teeth. We didn’t feel they “needed” as much work as those of her older sister, and were therefore disappointed to learn it would cost the same regardless. “Why weren’t there lesser-work/lesser-cost…
Following increased interest in expanding access to paid family and medical leave, Rep. Rosa DeLauro, D-Conn., joined forces with Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., to promote the Family and Medical Insurance Leave, or FAMILY, Act. If we believe the act’s supporters,…
Almost every new car I test drive — even the humblest hybrid — has a speedometer that reads to at least 120 mph. 140 is common; 160 not unusual. Some cars have speedometers that read to 180 or even 200…
Way back in 2010, anyone opposed to any portion of the looming nightmare called Obamacare, those of us who were opposed to it for a variety of reasons were regularly ridiculed and called liars for pointing out any number of…
Pennsylvanians shopping on the health care exchange are in for a rude awakening. This week, the state Insurance Department announced premiums for individual plans will increase by an average of 32 percent. The largest hike is for Highmark customers, who…