As many as 16,000 health care jobs could be lost in the state of Washington by 2012 if Medicare cuts are implemented, according to a new report by the American Hospital Association, the American Medical Association and the American Nurses Association.

Higher gas prices are crimping consumer spending and slowing the already-weak U.S. economy. And they could get worse in the coming months.

Robert Kerzner, president and CEO of LIMRA, LOMA and LL Global, will receive the Round Table of New Yorks 2012 Lifetime Achievement Award at the organization's anniversary dinner in December.

Health Care REIT Inc. said Friday that as part of its acquisition of Sunrise Senior Living Inc., it has agreed to sell Sunrise's management company business to a group of health care and real estate investment firms for about $130 million.