Broker Regulation

The federal deficit was lower in the first quarter of the 2012 budget year than the same period last year. Yet, the imbalance remains high by historical standards and should keep lawmakers debating tax increases and spending cuts through Election Day.

A bill that would force all accident victims to go to emergency rooms instead of their family doctor even for minor injuries has cleared a Florida House subcommittee.

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius says proposed increases in health insurance premiums for customers in five states have been deemed "unreasonable" by the agency.

Executing a classic Washington dodge, Newt Gingrich told Americans that Medicare and Medicaid could be kept solid merely by ending fraud in the system, a promise of gain without pain that ignores the aging population and other great forces pressing on the programs.

Assistant Secretary of Labor for Disability Employment Policy Kathleen Martinez and U.S. Customs and Border Protection Acting Commissioner David V. Aguilar signed an alliance agreement that supports President Obama's executive order to hire more disabled people by federal agencies.

Health plans may have to comply with new electronic funds transfer (EFT) and remittance advice standards by Jan. 1, 2014.