Employer-Paid

The economy gained 244,000 net jobs in April — the third straight month of solid gains. Yet the unemployment rate rose from 8.8 percent to 9 percent.

Companies created 268,000 jobs in April, the most since February 2006. The gains were widespread. Retailers, factories, financial companies, education and health care and even construction companies all added jobs.

WellCare Health Plans Inc. said Friday its first-quarter earnings more than tripled as the government health insurance provider saw a big membership gain in Medicare prescription drug plans compared to last year, when enrollment fell mainly due to marketing sanctions from the federal government.

Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker has signed a bill that prohibits local governments from passing ordinances guaranteeing workers' paid sick and family leave.

We already have a pretty good idea about how brokers and agents are feeling about the medical loss ratio provision of PPACA. In two words: not happy. But what’s the flip side; the impact of MLR on human resources or benefits managers?

Republicans in the Kansas House threatened Thursday to block an important unemployment bill favored by business leaders and GOP Gov. Sam Brownback's administration unless the measure also prohibits labor unions from financing political activities with funds deducted from members' paychecks.

In March, 21 months into recovery, the number of people employed in the United States was roughly the same as June 2009 — the month that marked the end of the Great Recession. According to nonprofit The Conference Board, the U.S. economy just can't bounce back like it used to.

Renewed worries about the health of the job market weighed on stocks Thursday after the government reported an unexpected jump in unemployment claims.