In the US, health is a business like any other. Since the government doesn't regulate prices, insurance companies have free reign. Worse, in the wake of the 2008 economic crisis, some companies decided to cut costs by no longer including health coverage in their recruitment contracts. Coupled with many who lost their jobs and as such, their insurance, it's thought 50 million Americans are uninsured today.
Markus Karlsson speaks to Jean-Laurent Granier of French insurer AXA to get a businessman's point of view on the Greek crisis and the Arab uprisings. They met at the "Forum de Marseille", a conference that brings together European and Mediterranean leaders.
The E.coli bacteria is once again making headlines. Seven children are in hospital in Northern France, after eating defrosted beef burgers.
Authorities say their sickness is not related to the recent outbreak in Germany, that’s killed dozens of people and affected thousands more across Europe.
British insurer Prudential says it is pulling out of negotiations to take over AIA, the Asian arm of US insurer AIG, after failing in its bid to secure a lower price.
Prudential's bid take over AIG's Asian unit, AIA, is in danger of collapsing after the American insurer rejected a plea by the British company to cut the price tag from $35.5 billion to $30.375.
British insurer Prudential has begun talks to lower its $35.5 billion offer for AIG's Asian life insurance arm amid reports shareholders will not back a deal they consider too costly.
The final touches have been made to Barack Obama's flagship policy on healthcare reform and the bill is now ready to go before the House of Representatives. The proposals have received staunch opposition from Republicans, but if passed, the new law will extend insurance coverage to 30 million Americans - many of whom simply can't afford to be ill.
In a deal that will help AIG raise funds to pay back part of its government bailout, US insurance giant MetLife will take over American Life Insurance Company (ALICO), an overseas unit of AIG, in a deal worth 15.5 billion dollars.
US insurance giant AIG has accepted a deal to sell its Asian arm, AIA, to British insurer Prudential for around 35 billion dollars, a source close to the deal said on Sunday.
