Lesbian couples sue over infertility insurance claim
New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance Commissioner Richard Badolato is the defendant in a lawsuit which has been filed by two lesbian couples in the state, who claim the rules on insurance for infertility treatment are discriminatory.
The court documents, published by the New York Times, shows that Erin and Marianne Krupa and Sarah Mills and her partner Gloria Torres take issue with the insurance department’s rules, while requiring health plans to cover infertility, are based on a woman being unable to conceive after “unprotected sexual intercourse with a male partner for either one or two years.”
The couples claim that the rules mean that they are disadvantaged compared to heterosexual women as their only option would be to fund infertility treatment themselves.
Ontario storm cost insurers at least $30 million
A severe storm which lashed southern Ontario on July 8 caused more than $30 million of insured damage according to Catastrophe Indices and Quantification Inc. (CatIQ).
Severe thunderstorms hit areas to the north of Toronto including Orillia, Markdale and Bradford with hail causing most the damage incurred by homes, cars and crops.
The hailstorm follows those that impacted the Thunder Bay area of Ontario in June along with Saskatchewan and Manitoba; collectively causing $34 million of insured damages.
"Severe storms have been happening more often and with greater intensity across Ontario," said Kim Donaldson, Vice-President, Ontario, IBC. "It is important that Canadians understand their insurance policies and what's covered. It's also essential to have an emergency preparedness plan and know what to do when bad weather strikes."
Businesses plan to increase spending on online security
Worldwide spending on information security is set to increase by almost 8 per cent as businesses bolster their defenses. A report by analysts at Gartner forecasts that $81.6 billion will be spent this year with security testing and data loss prevention among the main focuses.
"Organizations are increasingly focusing on detection and response, because taking a preventive approach has not been successful in blocking malicious attacks," said Elizabeth Kim, senior research analyst at Gartner. "We strongly advise businesses to balance their spending to include both."
