Core and Group Health

House and Senate Republican leaders told President Barack Obama Thursday that they will refuse to nominate candidates to serve on an advisory board that is to play a role in holding down Medicare costs under the new health care act.

Spending on prescription medicines in the U.S. fell for the first time in decades last year, slipping as cash-strapped consumers continued to cut back on use of health care services.

Health care exchanges already struggling to get off the ground in many states are facing new hurdles as major insurance companies express reservations over joining them.

Republican supermajorities have all but scuttled Medicaid expansion in Missouri, defeating at least for this year efforts supported by the Democratic governor to extend basic health coverage to an estimated 250,000 low-income state residents.

Dutch financial company ING Groep NV reported Wednesday that its first-quarter earnings rose as it sold businesses and improved profit margins at its banking arm. Its insurance arm reported a loss.

Aegon NV, the Dutch insurer that does most of its business in the United States under the Transamerica brand, says first quarter profits fell sharply due to stock market losses.