Officials at a public hospital district have come under fire after awarding the former CEO nearly $4 million in retirement payments in addition to his $150,000 annual pension after staffing was reduced by hundreds of people.

Unions representing hundreds of thousands of public employees in Illinois are joining forces to protect their pensions as officials look for ways to close a massive budget deficit.

Shares of Community Health Systems Inc. fell Tuesday as Wall Street remained doubtful that rival hospital operator Tenet Healthcare Corp. will accept an increased buyout offer.

Detroit Mayor Dave Bing is once again taking the urgency of the city's financial plight to union leadership.

Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick said he and legislative leaders are in fundamental agreement over what should be included in a municipal health care bill, even while there remains disagreement on the specifics.

Washington state lawmakers are moving to limit a "retire-rehire" policy that allows state employees to collect both a pension and a paycheck.

A bill that would overhaul the Nebraska commission which hears public-sector labor disputes is set for a legislative vote.

Some health insurers have been benefiting from a slowing growth rate in health care use, contributing to a stronger performance for the companies as they have reported improved earnings recently.