However, data was limited, so it’s too early to make firm conclusions, the watchdog clarified. That didn’t stop the largest PBM lobby from jumping on the report as concrete proof that consolidation doesn’t drive up prices.
Author: Awais
The recently announced Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), which is quickly escalating in the region, emerges at a time when the larger fiscal and programmatic environment for global health efforts faces particular hurdles, and international cooperation has been significantly challenged. This is in large part due to policy decisions made by the Trump administration and presents the first real global outbreak test following those changes. On May 15, news broke of a large, ongoing Ebola outbreak concentrated in northeastern DRC. Two days later, the Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the outbreak to…
In Granbury, Texas, city council meetings begin with a prayer. But at a session back in January, one local invoked the Almighty in a way that would have been unimaginable just a decade ago. “I want to pray in Jesus’ name that the land annexed will not become a data center,” said Matt Long, a member of the development commission in surrounding Hood County. Despite his plea, and a chorus of complaints from his neighbors, the council voted just four months later to rezone 2,100 acres of land for a potential data center known as Project Patriot. The rebellion stands…
We’ve learned that State Farm returned to the catastrophe bond market in recent weeks and has now secured a significant $1.5 billion of reinsurance protection through a Merna Re Enterprise Ltd. (Series 2026-1) issuance, which becomes one of the largest cat bond offerings ever.Details are currently very limited and we understand that State Farm has again undertaken a relatively private offering for its latest catastrophe bond sponsorship. The insurer opts to have its cat bond deals marketed on a private closed-group, or club basis to just selected investors, so they are not as widely offered in the market as most…
Iran is discussing with Oman how to set up some form of a permanent toll system that will formalize its control of maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz. “Iran and Oman must mobilize all their resources both to provide security services and to manage navigation in the most appropriate manner,” the Iranian ambassador to France, Mohammad Amin-Nejad, said in an interview with Bloomberg in Paris on Wednesday. “This will entail costs, and it goes without saying that those who wish to benefit from this traffic must also pay their share,” he said in Farsi, through an interpreter, adding that…
After almost 20 years of bouncing from campground to campground, Orr Family Ministries finally found its home in 2022 on a 12-acre tree-filled campground located on a hill in Colorado County. Kids played in the swimming pool, worshipped by the fire pit, and watched the sunset over the hill while learning about Bible stories. They called it Camp Oak Haven, providing refuge for about 100 children from surrounding low-income and rural communities. But, this summer, Camp Oak Haven won’t be reopening. Orr Family Ministries has sold the land because it could not meet sweeping regulations the state abruptly placed on…
Rokstone, the international specialty re/insurance MGA, announced the launch of a cargo stock-only program, supported by US$25 million of capacity, to support brokers and their clients with smarter, more flexible coverage and competitive premiums. One of just a handful of MGAs with the appetite, capability, and capacity relationships to deliver stock-only coverage, this new program is designed to meet the realities of today’s property and transit exposures, Rokstone said. The flexible program, which is underpinned by Rokstone’s technology capabilities, delivers competitive pricing, broader wordings, and lower deductibles. Rokstone said the program aims to respond to demand for more tailored inventory…
The healthcare AI company said San Oo’s appointment comes at an inflection point for Abridge as it inks deals with more health systems.
This small city in rural northeastern South Dakota has established itself as an energy hub for the entire Great Plains region, and that reputation has received a big boost by landing what will be among the world’s largest energy storage projects. In a groundbreaking project, South Dakota-based POET has partnered with Antora Energy of California to launch a thermal energy storage system adjacent to POET’s ethanol plant in Big Stone City. The 5 gigawatt-hour thermal energy storage facility will absorb excess, low-cost energy from wind turbines that might otherwise be lost due to capacity limits on the existing power grid…
AM Best has revised the outlooks to stable from negative and affirmed the Financial Strength Rating of B+ (Good) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating of “bbb-” (Good) of Missouri Valley Mutual Insurance Company (MVMIC) based in Burke, South Dakota. The Credit Ratings (ratings) reflect MVMIC’s balance sheet strength, which AM Best assesses as adequate, as well as its adequate operating performance, limited business profile and appropriate enterprise risk management (ERM). The revision of the outlooks to stable from negative reflects Missouri Valley’s improved operating performance metrics following multiple corrective actions implemented by management. This led to the company reporting…
May 21, 2026 Small businesses are increasingly becoming targets for cyberattacks, phishing scams, ransomware, and data breaches because they often lack dedicated IT teams or formal cyber protections. For insurance agents and brokers, this creates an important opportunity to educate clients about cyber risk while helping them strengthen protection with cyber insurance coverage. At Coterie Insurance, eligible businesses can add a cyber insurance endorsement to qualifying policies, helping provide an additional layer of financial protection against today’s evolving cyber threats. Below are six simple cybersecurity tips small business owners should implement today — plus why cyber insurance matters even when…
Howden US is again being sued by a rival broker over another group of new employees who are alleged to have breached loyalty and post-employment contractual obligations. According to a lawsuit filed May 19 in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida by Willis Towers Watson Northeast, former members of its marine team specializing in broking insurance for high net-worth owners and managers of high-end yachts all resigned to join Howden US “consistent with Howden’s playbook of hiring entire teams from other insurance brokerage companies and having those former employees violate their duties of loyalty while still employed…
President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown has parents who lack legal residency worried about the welfare of children left behind. Some jurisdictions are taking action. Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C., allow families to name temporary guardians if a parent is detained or deported. KFF Health News correspondent Jazmin Orozco Rodriguez appeared on WAMU’s May 13 Health Hub segment to explain why keeping the children of immigrants out of foster care can increase the likelihood of families reuniting and reduce the health impacts of a traumatic separation.
War has overtaken civil unrest as the political violence exposure that companies fear most, as conflicts in Europe and the Middle East disrupt global trade flows, strain political alliances, embolden adversarial powers and heighten risks to business assets, according to the Allianz Risk Barometer 2026. War was identified as the political violence exposure most feared by companies, surpassing civil unrest to garner 53% of the votes in the 2026 Allianz Risk Barometer, climbing from 48% in 2025. Allianz noted political risks and violence climbed to number seven in the Risk Barometer, its highest position ever (compared to number 9 in…