Broker Regulation

Religious leaders are telling a house panel the Obama administration disregarded basic rights to religious freedom in setting policies for access to birth control insurance for employees of religious-affiliated institutions.

The state of Nebraska is switching health care providers in a move that will save an estimated $8 million a year without major disruptions for employees, a state administrator said Wednesday.

New York authorities will be investigating the accuracy of data that health insurance companies and HMOs submit to justify rate increases.

The debate over the line between religious freedom and federal health care mandates has made its way into Massachusetts' closely watched U.S. Senate race, with Republican Sen. Scott Brown accusing his chief Democratic rival of wanting to "dictate to religious people about what they should believe."

Home health care provider LHC Group Inc. said it's started a review of strategic alternatives to boost its stock value.

A Republican supermajority has muscled two of the most restrictive anti-abortion bills in years through the Virginia House, including one that would all but outlaw the procedure in the state by declaring that the rights of persons apply from the moment sperm and egg unite.