A View from the Press Box

Democrats will point to consumer protections in the health care reform law to defend themselves in the midterm elections. It’s a shame most people with group health coverage don’t appreciate they already enjoy such benefits. (more…)

Seeing the horrible news today about suicide bombers killing so many people and wreaking so much havoc in the Moscow subway system makes me feel very vulnerable once again riding the New York City transit system. There are so many entry points, and only so much the police can do to secure them. (more…)

NAMIC Chair John T. Hill II discusses some of the critical issues confronting the industry in a two-part exclusive video interview with National Underwriter, available at our Web site at www.property-casualty.com.

Like it or not, President Barack Obama and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi have managed to pass a comprehensive health insurance reform bill, against long odds. The big question is, what happens now? (more…)

I learned how to best handle pitches from insurance public relations representatives from watching “The Player,” a 1992 movie starring Tim Robbins as a Hollywood producer harassed by would-be screenwriters and directors. Read on for some tips on how best to approach editors with story ideas. (more…)

Are there ethical obligations to communicate the insurance industry’s legislative and lobbying positions to your clients?  Should insurers and agents impose their political views on customers because they believe the changes are ultimately in the best interests of clients? Check out the response to the latest column by NU’s ethics columnist, Peter R. Kensicki, and offer your own views on the subject right here. (more…)

I am sorry to report that I did not win this year’s American Business Media Neal Award for best blog. The winner was “Trucks At Work,” published by Fleet Owner, at http://blog.fleetowner.com/trucks_at_work/. But it was an honor to be nominated as a finalist. (more…)

Karen Clark has had an interesting career path. A pioneer in the catastrophe modeling business, she sold her own firm eight years ago, but now essentially makes her living warning people about what cat models can’t do–which is replace human judgment. But have insurers gotten the message? (more…)

National Underwriter is accepting entries and nominations for our fourth annual “Awards For Excellence In Workers’ Compensation Risk Management,” sponsored by the National Council on Compensation Insurance. Do you have anyone to recommend? (more…)

Let’s say for the sake of argument that Democrats in Congress are able to get their health reform legislation to President Barack Obama’s desk. Will one key element–a mandate for everyone to buy insurance coverage–withstand a Constitutional challenge? I have my doubts. (more…)