German insurer Allianz SE saw third quarter profits sag to 258 million ($350 million) from 1.27 billion ($1.73 billion) the year before because of investment losses and Greek bond writedowns from Europe's debt crisis.

The Republican-controlled state budget committee voted Thursday to approve about $225 million in Medicaid cuts expected to result in about 65,000 poor adults and children leaving health insurance programs, either because they would no longer be eligible or they could no longer afford coverage.

House GOP leaders have scheduled a vote next week on a constitutional amendment that would require a balanced federal budget.

Employers and consumers alike are adopting health savings accounts as a viable way to manage their health care costs without compromising care, according to two national surveys released Thursday.