UAW Suing GM Over $450 Million For Retiree Health Benefits

The Associated Press: “The United Auto Workers union has sued General Motors Corp., saying the automaker owes it $450 million for retiree health care” (4/7)…

Arizona Approves Bill To Join Health Reform Lawsuit, Colorado Democrats Push Back Against Their AG

After Arizona lawmakers give the go-ahead, the governor signed a measure into law Thursday that allows the state to join a lawsuit with other states challenging the constitutionality of the health reform overhaul passed by Congress. Yuma Sun: Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer signed the legislation passed a day earlier by the Arizona legislature…

Democratic, Republican Attorneys General Continue Health Reform Lawsuit Battle

Politico: Some of the Democratic attorneys general who have refused to join Republican counterparts in a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the new health law, now “have become reluctant combatants, dragged into the fray by GOP governors and legislators who insist that their reluctance to join the case is a clear attempt to protect their national party’s interests…

Some States Reject Health Reform Lawsuits As Others Prepare To Join Fray

The New York Times: In Georgia, “the Democratic attorney general has rejected” the idea of lawsuits that challenge the constitutionality of the recently enacted federal health overhaul “as ‘frivolous’ and ‘a waste of taxpayer money.’ Now … [31] Republicans in the state legislature signed a resolution Tuesday calling for the impeachment of the attorney general, Thurbert Baker.” Mr…

States Mull Joining Health Care Reform Lawsuits Or Keeping Out Of It

The Associated Press/New York Times: Indiana has joined the lawsuit brought by 13 states challenging the constitutionality of a mandate on Americans to carry health insurance in the new health reform law. “State Attorney General Greg Zoeller said Monday that Indiana would be added to an amended version of the lawsuit against the law that is expected to be filed soon” (3/29)…

States Challenge Health Insurance Coverage Mandate As Leaders Decide On Participation

Attorneys general in 14 states have filed lawsuits challenging the constitutionality of a health insurance coverage mandate in the new federal health law, and more may follow…

States Begin Legal Challenge To New Health Law But Experts Raise Doubts About Their Chances

The Boston Globe: “Attorneys general from 13 states sued the federal government yesterday, arguing the landmark health care overhaul is unconstitutional just seven minutes after President Obama signed it into law. The lawsuit was filed in Pensacola after the Democratic president signed the 10-year, $938 billion bill the House passed Sunday night. …

Lawsuit Shows Insurer Targeted HIV Patients For ‘Rescission’

A court case has revealed that the insurer Fortis, now called Assurant Health, automatically targeted customers diagnosed with HIV for fraud investigations geared toward finding reasons to revoke their coverage, Reuters reports…

Insurance Fraud Booms During Recession

“The sour economy is producing a bumper crop of cash-strapped consumers, business owners and shady agents who’re fueling a wave of insurance fraud that’s keeping regulators and law enforcement officials busy from coast to coast,” McClatchy reports…

Medical ID Thefts Can Harm Patients’ Health; Prosecutors Go After Medicare Fraud

News outlets covered different aspects of fraud in the health care system. NPR/KSMU: “Experts say a different type of identity theft is on the rise — one that could compromise both the victim’s credit and physical safety…