San Antonio Insurance Agent Becomes Speaker of the House

It appears the House will be getting a new Speaker, Rep. Joe Straus. Known as a moderate Republican, he has served only two terms in the House but has lined up significant support. A wealthy San Antonio businessman, Straus held minor posts in the Bush and Reagan Administrations. He is a principal in the insurance and executive benefits firm of Watson, Mazur, Bennett & Straus, L.L.C. He also is affiliated with National Financial Partners, a leading financial services company in the insurance, investments, and benefits industry.

Texas Bill Would Mandate Medical Loss Ratios

TEXAS: A bill was filed last week that would require insurers to report their medical loss ratios to the Department of Insurance on an annual basis and to maintain those ratios at 75 percent. The bill further gives authority to the Commissioner to order rebates, rate rollbacks or take other necessary steps to penalize any carrier in violation of the minimum ratio.

Text of Bill: texas-house-bill-medical-loss-ratio-hb00531i