Hedge funds were once the rock stars of the financial industry. The smartest people worked for them. The wealthiest gave them their money. They were an easy path to fortune.

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.

Florida's insurance officials said Tuesday that health insurance rates will rise an average of 5 to 20 percent for small businesses and 30 to 40 percent in the individual market through the state's new exchange under the federal health law.

The agency uses former Royals first baseman Mike Sweeney as an example.