The new Congress, which convened last Tuesday, took its first step toward the reauthorization of TRIA today when the House passed legislation to extend TRIA by a vote of 416-5, with one lawmaker voting present. H. R. 26, introduced by Representative Randy Neugebauer, is the same bill that was passed…
Read More New Congress Takes Strides Towards TRIA Reauthorization with House Vote

President Obama has signed into law The Insurance Capital Standards Clarification Act, S. 2270, which loosens the Dodd-Frank capital restrictions on insurers. The legislation makes changes to Section 171 of the Dodd-Frank Act, known as the Collins Amendment, by adding language clarifying that the Federal Reserve is not required to…
Read More President Obama Signs Bill Loosening Dodd-Frank Capital Restrictions on Insurers Into Law

As of December 31, 2014, the Terrorism Risk Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2007 (“TRIA”) will expire.
Read More New York Requires Insurer Information in Wake of TRIA Expiration

The U.S. Senate adjourned for the year on Tuesday without passing an extension of TRIA. Strong opposition from retiring Senator Tom Coburn (R-OK) blocked a vote on the measure that was overwhelmingly supported by lawmakers in the House as well as the business community.
Read More Senate Adjourns Without Passing TRIA Extension

On Wednesday, the House overwhelmingly passed an extension of TRIA by a vote of 417-7. The House vote is a step closer to ensuring the bill does not expire at years’ end.
Read More House Passes TRIA Extension and Sends the Bill to Senate

As the December 31st expiration of TRIA moves closer, House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) announced yesterday that next week the House will vote on proposed legislation to ensure TRIA does not lapse at year’s end.
Read More U.S. House to Vote on TRIA Extension

In Santacroce v. Sametz, a plaintiff brought suit against both the alleged tortfeasor for negligence, and the tortfeasor’s insurer for bad faith in violation of Mass. Gen. Laws chs. 176D and 93A. The insurer, as is often the case, moved to sever and stay the Chapter 176D and 93A claims. This motion was denied by the trial judge, who noted that “privileges [work product and attorney client] can be protected by less drastic methods than severance and staying these claims.”…
Read More Massachusetts Appeals Court Orders That 93A Claim Against Carrier Be Severed, Reverses Trial Court

The Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts recently considered whether an insured could pursue a claim against an insurer which had breached its duty to defend for unfair or deceptive acts or practices under G.L. c. 93A, § 11, notwithstanding the insurer’s full reimbursement of the insured’s expenses, plus interest. …
Read More Massachusetts High Court Rules That Insurer’s Full Reimbursement of Insured’s Expenses Does Not Bar Insured’s G.L. c. 93A Claim

Edwards Wildman’s latest Healthcare Update discusses that the New CMS Guidelines on Telemedicine Reimbursement; that OIG Releases 2015 Work Plan and OCR Issues Bulletin on Privacy in Emergency Situations.
Read More Healthcare Update: New CMS Guidelines on Telemedicine Reimbursement; OIG Releases 2015 Work Plan; OCR Issues Bulletin on Privacy in Emergency Situations