Broker Regulation

Two large hospital operators paid kickbacks to clinics that directed expectant mothers living in the country illegally to their hospitals and filed fraudulent Medicaid claims on those patients, a federal whistle-blower lawsuit unsealed Wednesday said.

Using one method, officials find the gap could range from 14 percent to 55 percent.

The chairman of the Council of Economic Advisors at the White House trumpets good news about healthcare cost containment.

Though growth remains weak, the pickup last quarter supports forecasts that the economy will accelerate the rest of the year.

Insurance company Aflac Inc. reported a big jump in second-quarter earnings on Tuesday as it benefited from investment gains, but profit growth was held back by a weak yen and its third-quarter profit guidance was lower than analysts expected.

A review of rates proposed by insurance carriers offering the lowest-cost plans for individuals in Connecticut's new health insurance exchange shows there are narrow differences between the different companies.