Health insurance futures market faces hard sell

Article Abstract:

The Commodities and Futures Trading Commission will permit the Chicago Board of Trade to introduce indemnity health insurance futures contracts. The contracts will be linked to pooled gross profit margins of approximately 10 health insurance companies that primarily serve companies employing 25 to 50 people. The contracts could help hospitals hedge against unexpected declines in patient referrals from small-market insurers. However, hospitals usually employ only conservative investment strategies. They may be reluctant to invest in futures, which are high-risk investment vehicles.

Security and commodity exchanges, Product introduction, Insurance industry, Financial futures, Securities, Board of Trade of the City of Chicago Inc.

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Collaboration brings new service to community

Article Abstract:

The high cost of radiation therapy equipment influenced two Nashua, NH, hospitals, Nashua Memorial Hospital and St Joseph Hospital, to collaborate in opening the Nashua Regional Cancer Center. Affiliation with Mary Hitchcock Hospital in Hanover, NH, a recognized cancer center, affords the center access to recent developments in cancer treatment. Community cooperation in avoiding duplication influenced the state to grant Nashua's certificate-of-need for the center, which emphasizes outpatient care.

Cover Story, Radiology, Hospital services, Nashua, New Hampshire

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Experts urge closer look at hospital investment policies

Article Abstract:

Hospitals need to formulate detailed investment policies tailored to each hospital's income requirements. The policies, which should be reviewed every 12 to 18 months, should include specifications on the safety of principal, the liquidity of investments, socially responsible investing and performance relative to similar investments in the marketplace. The policies should contain a clause that forces them to be reviewed before reaching an expiration date.

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