Description: In 1983, a poultry virus hit the jackpot in Pennsylvania. While making a copy of its genetic material, the virus made a tiny error. Because of that error, it began producing a slightly altered protein which allowed the normally benign organism to spread beyond its usual residence in chicken lungs and intestines. Soon it was burrowing into other parts of the birds’ bodies - including the nervous system, where it multiplied rapidly and began to cause disease. Could something like this happen to humans?

Description: This article highlights the provisions under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996.

Description: This is a book review of 'The Rising Cost of Hospital Care' by Martin S. Feldstein, Ph.D. In general, the book proceeds from an analysis of how and how much hospital costs have risen to why they have risen.

Description: The author gives his opinions of the cause of the health care financing crisis and ever increasing health care costs.

Description: The author takes exception to criticism from the AMA about hospital discharge guidelines as being set by actuaries when, in fact, they are set by physicians based on actual practice.

Description: This web page contains links to the following articles of interest to actuaries: 1. A July 9, 2011 New York Times editorial about recent studies suggesting that antidepressants aren’t effective after all, and 2. A March 10, 2011 Time Magazine article by Joel Stein titled, 'Data Mining: How Companies Now Know Everything About You.'

Description: This editorial gives an overview of articles in this edition of The Actuary including actuarial exams and health care management issues.

Description: This is a table from an article in The Actuary Magazine entitled A Strategic Analysis of the U.S. Life Insurance Industry Part II: Products.