Blue Cross is one of several California insurers that have come under fire for issuing policies without checking applications and then canceling coverage after individuals incur major medical costs. The practice of canceling coverage, known in the industry as rescission, is under scrutiny by state regulators, lawmakers and the courts.

Patients in a raft of lawsuits accuse the insurers of canceling coverage over honest mistakes and minor inconsistencies on applications that they contend are purposely confusing. Victims of cancer and other serious medical problems often are unable to get new coverage once their insurance has been rescinded and they may go without treatment when they need it most. Suddenly swamped by medical debt, some people have lost homes and businesses.

Insurers say the cancellations are an important weapon against fraud and occur rarely.

CUSTOMER SERVICE: Grace under disaster Hotel guests say MGM Mirage ...

Evacuees from the Monte Carlo watch news coverage on monitors inside the MGM Arena on Jan. 25, the day the hotel-casino caught fire. A consultant says companies that handle catastrophes like fires with honesty and aplomb can secure loyal customers for life.
Photo by Jeremy Lyverse/Review-Journal


The burned facade and upper floors of the Monte Carlo after a fire broke out Jan. 25. The fire engulfed parts of the building's facade and roof and forced the evacuation of guests and staff. MGM Mirage had to transfer roughly 5,000 guests to other local hotels and keep them happy.
Photo by John Gurzinski


A Clark County firefighter sprays water on the southern side of Monte Carlo. MGM Mirage, which owns the hotel, offered to put guests displaced by the fire in other, sometimes upgraded, rooms.

Strengthening Fluids With Nanoparticles

ScienceDaily (Feb. 20, 2008) — Researchers at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute have demonstrated that liquids embedded with nanoparticles show enhanced performance and stability when exposed to electric fields. The finding could lead to new types of miniature camera lenses, cell phone displays, and other microscale fluidic devices.

Maytag Brand Builds on its Legacy in the Laundry Room With ...

ORLANDO, Fla., Feb. 13 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- With more than 100 years of building dependable washing machines, Maytag brand now adds the power of steam and new compact appliances to its laundry lineup.

The Bravos steam dryer offers a variety of steam cycles, including the 15- minute "Rapid Refresh" setting, to quickly rejuvenate a single item or outfit. The Bravos dryer conveniently connects to the laundry-room waterline, so there's no reservoir to fill, just on-demand steam cycles with the push of a button.