FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 10, 2008
Contact: Susan Miller
317-816-9760 ext. 247
smiller@hickmanassociates.com
Online Resource Targets Key Issues and Experts Driving Insurance Regulatory Modernization
Site features more than 85 abstracts, articles and research sources relevant to insurance industry regulation
(July 10, 2008, Indianapolis, Washington, D.C.) The start of the 2008 hurricane season, the role of rising health care costs in the 2008 election and the current crisis in the financial markets are just a few of the issues impacting the insurance regulatory landscape. In March, the U.S. Department of Treasury brought the issue of insurance regulation to the forefront through its “Blueprint” to modernize the U.S. financial services industry. While some issues, such as Treasury’s embrace of an Optional Federal Charter (OFC) are relatively new, other issues have been smoldering for decades.
Networks Financial Institute at Indiana State University, a national leader in addressing both ongoing and emerging issues impacting the insurance sector, announces the launch of an online resource that addresses the myriad issues driving insurance regulation and reform. The site provides a comprehensive clearinghouse for resources relevant to insurance regulatory modernization, including more than 85 resources published by industry thought leaders representing government, trade associations, industry leaders, media and academia. The site offers an online bibliography of scholarly abstracts, research articles, journal publications, commentaries and proposals regarding the state of the insurance industry. As such, it is not a static document. Political, industry and academic leaders are invited to make suggestions for new sources and contribute thoughts to existing content.
Some of the topics addressed in the online portal include:
- Varied perspectives on the case for interstate insurance choice
- Dual regulation and its impact on market competition
- The implications of an Optional Federal Charter for consumer protection versus market efficiencies
- Making state regulation more efficient and effective
- Rate regulation and its impact on market pricing and claims
- Regulating the market for Terrorism Insurance
- Frequently-asked-questions regarding optional federal charters
- Regulatory impact on competitiveness in a global market
- Managing insurer insolvencies
- Health insurance reform
- The U.S. Department of the Treasury’s blueprint for a modernized regulatory structure
“Networks Financial Institute is continually partnering with a network of research fellows, policymakers and industry leaders to address and advance the issues driving regulatory modernization. Our role as a non-partisan player in the discussion enables NFI to present with impartiality the many perspectives and proposals of those seeking change in the insurance regulatory landscape,” noted NFI’s Director of Research Jack Tatom.
The resource also provides perspectives from recognized leaders and voices in the insurance sector including: the Searle Center on Law, Regulation and Economic Growth at Northwestern University; the American Council of Life Insurers; the National Association of Insurance Commissioners; The Journal of Insurance Regulation; U.S. Chamber of Commerce; Competitive Enterprise Institute; American Enterprise Institute; Casualty Actuarial Society; The Economist; Government Accountability Office; Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs; National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies; University of Missouri-Columbia School of Law; National Conference of Insurance Guaranty Funds; National Organization of Life and Health Insurance Guaranty Associations; National Council on Compensation Insurance; Heritage Foundation; Insurance Legislators Foundation; Barbon Institute; U.S. House of Representatives, Committee on Financial Services; National Underwriter and numerous Networks Financial Institute studies and publications.
Networks Financial Institute at Indiana State University was founded in 2003 with a grant from Lilly Endowment, Inc. The non-profit organization strives to facilitate a more effective national and international financial services marketplace through education, outreach and research. Networks Financial Institute is headquartered in Indianapolis with offices on the campus of Indiana State University in Terre Haute and outreach in Washington, D.C., and internationally. For more information about Networks Financial Institute, visit www.networksfinancialinstitute.org.
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