Healthcare

Updated throughout the day after Obama's re-election, hear what industry leaders and industry groups say the president's win means for the broker community. Be sure to leave your thoughts in the comments, too.

President Barack Obama’s re-election means his overhaul of the U.S. health-care system, opposed by most Republicans, will move ahead in all 50 states, with or without the cooperation of their governors.

Romney and Obama’s teams both try to spin the most recent batch of unemployment data, and one index has consumer confidence hitting a five-year high.

Repealing health care reform would be no easy task for a President-elect Romney, says employee benefits attorney Frank Palmieri, adding that if Obama is re-elected, he has lots of work to do to keep implementation going smoothly.

A recent survey shows a lack of planning around health care reform on the part of many small businesses, and even confusion over the obligation to provide coverage.

The Department of Labor reports that the employment cost index increased by 0.4% in the third quarter, with benefits costs rising by the most since the first half of 2011. Many economists believe spending could soon take a hit if worker pay holds steady.

A survey by online health benefits seller eHealthInsurance finds that more than three-quarters of small business clients are not doing long-term planning on how health reform, including insurance exchanges, may affect their business.

New legislation begins this month in Massachusetts, a state ahead of the country on “health care reform,” says EBA Blogger Mark Gaunya. But what can others learn from this new law, a “a state-based, cost control experiment that may prove to be a glimpse of the future in your state?”

Leading insurers come together for an education campaign in light of research showing LTD claims are rising as group coverage drops.

Most people believe the current economic climate has made life insurance more relevant, but a majority has not calculated their need and many avoid discussing the topic at home, according to a survey by ING.