Warning over “opioid crisis” of privately insured
The number of people hooked on prescription drugs and heroin saw a sharp increase while overdoses hit a record high in the years from 2007 to 2014.
Analysis by non-profit Fair Health found that there was a more than 3000 per cent rise in claims on private health insurance during the 7-year period and the report warns that the US in “in the midst of an epidemic of opioid dependence, abuse and overdose.”
The research reveals that the current crisis differs from previous abuse epidemics as it is “disproportionately affecting white, middle-class people in non-urban settings, including those with private health insurance.”
The situation has prompted the federal government to enact new legislation to strengthen opioid addiction prevention, treatment and recovery and expand access to the opioid overdose-reversal drug naloxone. The full report is on the Fair Health
website.
Driverless cars will not take liability away from users say lawyers
Canada’s largest law firm says that driverless cars will not mean that their ‘drivers’ avoid liability in the result of a collision.
A report from Borden Ladner Gervais notes that the technology will disrupt a number of industries including insurance and that the legal and regulatory framework for their use is yet to be finalized.
The firm’s report “Autonomous Vehicles – Revolutionizing Our World” also notes that manufacturers of driverless vehicles will require enhanced product liability insurance but opines that it will not mean auto insurance will cease to be required, except where vehicles do not involve human control at all.
“As long as a driver with some ability to assume or resume control of the vehicle is present, there would seem to be a continuing basis for driver negligence and liability as they presently exist. It is not much different than operating a vehicle with cruise control,” it says.
Munich Re acquires Greek insurance business
Global insurer Munich Re has acquired the insurance division of Greece’s largest lender Piraeus Bank. The deal, completed Monday, transfers ATE Insurance to Munich Re subsidiary Ergo International for 90 million euros (U$100.5 million).
A year ago the deal was almost cancelled as Greece was in the midst of its financial meltdown and political uncertainty ahead of an election. However subsequent deals with creditors and some stability has enabled the takeover to go ahead.
