Regulation/Legislation

Moody's Investors Service, which had said last week it would not attend a hearing by insurance regulators concerning rating service failings, has changed its mind.

U.S. Rep. David Scott, D-Georgia, an advocate of multistate licensing for producers, was given the National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies' Federal Legislator of the Year Award.

The U.S. Senate Finance Committee this week could add specific provisions curbing the cost of medical malpractice lawsuits when it acts on broader health reform legislation this week.

Standard & Poor's Equity Research said it had raised its opinion of American International Group shares to hold from sell, and company shares rose.

A compromise bill calling for nonprofit cooperatives rather than a government plan as an alternative health insurance source was unveiled in the U.S. Senate last week.

The Department of Health and Human Services is asking states, local authorities and health care groups to submit proposals within 30 days on programs that could reduce medical malpractice liability costs.