Search

Reports that employers and insurers are troubled by a Congress decision to take a strong role in directing health insurance benefits. Proposal guaranteeing 48 hours' hospitalization for women who had mastectomies; Pledge of insurance companies to pay emergency visits; Protection for doctors discussing alternative treatments with patients.

Reports on the drop in unemployment rate in April 1996. Comments of Robert Barr of the United States Chamber of Commerce; Implications of the decline on economic growth; Lack of change in private sector jobs.

Reports from Washington, on the decrease in percentage for the average cost to corporations using health maintenance organizations (HMO). Businesses demanding savings in health expenses; Percentage of enrolled HMO's from 1994 to 1995; What is the total cost to a company for HMO coverage. INSET: Coming down..

Reports that California's population rose 0.6 percent for July 1, 1995, with an increase of 181,000 for the year. Total number of people who moved to other states; Why California's population was boosted in the 1980s; Statements from Peter Francese, president of American Demographics magazine.

States that the proposed merger between Wells Fargo and Company and First Interstate Bancorp, should receive regulatory approval, provided that Wells sell some branches to preserve competition in the California banking market. Areas that the Justice Department antitrust division will target for closures; Hearings by the Federal Reserve Board to assess the community impact of the merger; Comments from Bert Ely, a banking consultant.

Reports on the plan by the militant labor movement, the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO), to contribute $35 million to various campaigning efforts in 1996. Plans from the AFL-CIO; Comments from John J. Sweeney, president of the group; What the AFL-CIO will do; How the money will be spent; Messages that will be sent out by the labor movement to the government.

Looks at the economic reports for the state of California, as the state gained 19,000 jobs as the unemployment rate fell to 7.7% from 8.8% in November. Stabilization of United States' job rate; How the return of 40,000 Boeing aircraft workers contributed of U.S. job rate; Comments from David Hensley, a regional economist and state official.

Reports on how Wells Fargo & Company boosted its stockholder dividend, and strengthened its takeover bid for First Interstate Bancorp. How Wells Fargo shares performed on the New York Stock Exchange; Pressure imposed on First Interstate's merger partner, First Bank System Incorporated; Lack of plans by the Justice Department to oppose merger. INSET: Soaring profit..

States that their has been a decrease in the amount of economic data from Washington, United States. Comments from Wilson, Bank of America's chief economist; Benefits of economic data to businesses; Development of federal statistical agencies; Announcement by the United States Commerce Department; Information on business enterprises affected by decease in data. INSET: Delayed data..

Presents information on a blizzard which wreaked havoc with the long-distance mail delivery in the United States. Details on the blizzard of snow along the Eastern Seaboard; Amount of letters and packages that remained undelivered by the Postal Service; Number of states affected by the backlog of post; Comments made by Postmaster General Marvin T. Runyon Jr. on January 10, 1996.

States that the health insurance industry is functioning, despite the United States government shutdown, by using its own money to keep operations running smoothly. Amount of money spent in a week by health insurance industry; Sources of the health insurance industry's money; Comments of Pam Drellow, spokeswoman for the Blue Cross & Blue Shield Association;

States that the Federal Reserve Board will hold public hearings on competing proposals by Wells Fargo & Company, and First Bank System Incorporated to acquire First Interstate Bancorp. Amount of money offered by both firms for the bid; Board's reasons for the hearings; Indications of the takeover; Promises made by Wells Fargo; Venue of hearings.

Reports that the Senate completed its first override of Bill Clinton's presidency on December 23, 1995, when it vetoed a bill restricting shareholders' ability to sue for securities fraud. Why the vote was a particular embarrassment to the president; Reaction to the override; Terms of the new law; Reference to it being the first time Congress has enacted into law a major provision in the House Republican `contract with America.'

Reports on the conflict that has emerged between United States President Bill Clinton and his party chairman, Senator Christopher Dodd over legislation to protect technology companies from investor lawsuits. Clinton's attempt not to alienate the claims of investors; Dodds' efforts to have Clinton's veto of the bill overridden.

Reports that United States House of Representatives overrode President Clinton's veto of a bill restricting fraud lawsuits. Clinton's explanation as to why he vetoed the bill; What would the legislation establish; Number of Democrats that joined the Republicans to override the veto.

Reports from Washington, on President Bill Clinton veto of a controversial bill that makes it harder for investors to file and win lawsuits charging publicly traded companies with securities fraud. How law was backed by accountants and business groups; Aims of legislation.

Reports that California's economic recovery may be slowing, as a result of the limited number of jobs offered by employers. Number of jobs offered since October 1995; Increase in the unemployment rate; Statistical information on released by the goverment; Significance of these figures to the Federal Reserve Board.

Reports on an announcement made by the Internal Revenue Service, on its first nationwide program, which allows taxpayers to file federal tax returns by telephone. When the program would be available; Who the program is targeted at; Personal two-digit identification numbers sent to eligible Americans; How the program functions; Details on the program.

Reports on complaints issued by the National Leadership Coalition on Health Care, over the impact of the Republican plan to balance the health care budget. Who the coalition consists of; Details on the GOP budget plan; Study issued by former Presidents Gerald R. Ford and Jimmy Carter; Claims made by the study; What was predicted by the study.

Presents crucial areas to watch when it comes to figuring out how and where your money may be spent in the years ahead. Expansion of the individual retirement; Why Republicans are angry at the American Association of Retired Persons and the National Council of Senior Citizens.

States that by racing to create their own health maintenance organizations (HMOs) for Medicare beneficiaries, doctors in the United States are waging a counterattack against the insurance industry. Advantages of the budget bill; Offer to doctors to get quick federal approval of their HMOs by House Speaker Newt Gingrich; Comments from James Stacey, spokesman for the American Medical Association.

Reports that Republicans in Congress are enticing the elderly to join health maintenance organizations (HMO)s to save Medicare from bankruptcy. Reason more than half the population of Portland, Oregon is enrolled in HMOs; Results of a survey on how patients who are enroll in HMOs rated their health coverage; Benefits which HMOs in California offers to patients; Comments of patients who are enrolled in HMOs.

Reports that the United States Federal government shutdown could result in layoff for small businesses. Effects of the shutdown on small businesses; Why small business would be forced to layoff workers if the government shutdown continues; Reference to previous Federal government shutdowns; Comments from small business operators.

Reports that the Clinton Administration spent $13.8 million to prepare its unsuccessful 1993 proposal to overhaul the United States' health care system. Original estimated cost; Calculation of money spent by each agency.

Discusses the easing of standards to qualify for a loan, by many United States banks. Reasons for the easing of standards; Comments in a letter from Eugene A. Ludwig, Comptroller of the Currency; Warning to banks not to squander their current strong economic health; Concerns expressed by Comptroller Ludwig.

Reports on a warning from the conservatives Republicans in the United States, to congressional leaders, to oppose the GOP Medicare reform plan, unless it benefited Americans, through the establishment of medical savings accounts. What the Medicare legislation reform measures amount to; Comments from Peter Ferrara, Spokesman for American for Tax Reform, a GOP activist group.

Discusses the economy in the United States for 1995. Statistical information on unemployment; Views of the federal government; State comparison; Comments from Dean Barker, an economist with the labor-supported Economic Policy Institute; Identification of the company, which contributed to the decline in manufacturing jobs.

Opinion. Offers a look at the California Institute for Federal Policy Research, an institute that collects facts and figures on legislative issues. Where this institute is located; Collection of statistical information on Medicaid by the institution; Need for the institution to be objective on all issues brought before them.

Presents information on the appeal of a coalition of senior citizens, labor groups and Democratic organizations, in California to President Clinton to veto legislation concerned with difficulty in winning securities fraud lawsuits. Signature on letter to Clinton.

Informs about the cancellation of Taxpayer Compliance Measurement Program, one of Internal Revenue Service's Random Audit program, scheduled to begin in December 1995 regarding auditing of the tax returns. Reason; Details.

Informs about the bet layed by Congressional Republicans that the Medicare costs can be kept in check without forcing American senior citizens to pay extra for healthcare as reported on October 10, 1995. Background on the issue; Comments of several GOP members on the same.

Anticipates an era of hostile and combative takeovers in the banking industry in the light of Wells Fargo & Co.'s hostile takeover bid for First Interstate Bancorp. Reasons; Drawbacks of hostile takeovers. INSET: Three's a crowd..

Discusses the impact of proposed changes made by House and Republican leaders in Medicare program on the teaching institutions and city hospitals.

Reports on the pressure posed by United States President Bill Clinton on some of the businessmen of the country to influence the Republicans to compromise in their budget. Other details of the speech made by him to the members of Business Council; Efforts taken by Business Council to break the stalemate reached in the budget bill.

Looks at the approval of the Republican proposed Medicare reform by the US House Ways and Means Committee on October 11, 1995. Debate on the bill by the Republican and Democrats; Focus on the provisions of the bill. INSET: Medicare: What happens next..

Informs about American Medical Association's (AMA) endorsement of the House Republicans' plan to reduce financial impact on doctors, on October 10, 1995. Terms and conditions of the agreement between AMA and GOP leaders.

Reports on the critical attack of the GOP's decision to reduce Medicare spending by the year 2002 by the American Association of Retired Persons on October 9, 1995. Details of the campaign against the new legislation; Debate over the issue; Reasons for the requirement of a Medicare overhaul.

Reports the trends in the unemployment rate in California in September 1995. The lowest level recorded in California's unemployment rate; Information on the national unemployment rate; Unemployment rate in various states; Details on the statistics of the employment report; Observation of the economists on the trends in the employment report.

Applauds commendable performance of postal service in Southern Californian areas. Performance record of the mail service; Statistical information on the matter.

Informs about the Medicare rescue plan proposed by House Republicans. Implications of the Senate and House proposals; Details.

Reports that the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), proposed major changes in rules that could generate better prices for individual investors, in the rapidly growing over-the-counter markets. Provisions of proposed regulations developed by SEC; Stock markets rules will govern, if adopted; Effect it will have on Nasdaq stock exchange. INSET: Helping investors..

Reports on the Senate Finance Committee's proposal to reform Medicare. Description of proposal; What would attract people to the reform; Advantages of reform to Medicare beneficiaries; Amount of money for Medicare involved in proposal; Comments from committee members.

Reports on the approval of a proposed legislation by the United States Federal Reserve Board Chairman Alan Greenspan, which would convert the nation's savings and loan associations into commercial banks. Information on the savings and loan crisis of the 1980s; Statements from Greenspan; Problems which could delay or alter the legislation.

Reports that a blueprint of the Medicare reform plan, was issued by United States House Representatives, who are unable to agree on the details of the plan to save $270 billion from Medicare in seven years. Information on the GOP outline; Comments from House Speaker New Gingrich (R-Georgia). INSET: What plan would do..

Discusses the House Medicare proposal that will allow employees to remain in their company health plans after 65 years, using Medicare allowances to pay for it. Perceptions of businesses; Commence from Representative Bruce Josten, director of member policy for the United States Chamber of Commerce.

Reports on Senate Republicans' preparation of a plan that would raise the annual deductible for doctors' Medicare services. Plan's possible requirement for Medicare patients to make co-payments; House Speaker Newt Gingrich's opposition to the plan; Counterproposal from Senate Democrats.

Reports that the United States' Congress wants to slash the amount of money spent on Medicare. Efforts of the Republican Party to persuade elderly of benefits of Medicare; Information on Republican Party Medicare plan; Views of American Association of Retired Persons; Where most Medicare savings come from; Committment of Republicans to saving Medicare.

Reports on a blueprint of a Medicare rescue plan offered by Republicans on September 14, 1995. Monthly premium hike for elders and the expected savings in the proposal; House and Senate committees to meet in another day in September to add additional details into the blue print; Democrats' criticism against the proposals.

Reports on Republicans' plan to revamp the Medicare system that are under confusion and uncertainty over the potential savings from moving beneficiaries into health maintenance organizations and other forms of managed care. Issue of the amount of prospective savings from managed care will be counted by the Congressional Budget Office; Optimism of House Republicans about managed care.

Looks at some of the issues that will be debated when the United States House Republicans unveil their plans for budgeting, and thereby saving Medicare from bankruptcy. Balancing the federal budget by the year 2002; Statistics on the annual spending growth agreed upon; Amount of money spent in Medicare annually; Optimism among Republican planners; What they think about the proposed plans.