BOSTON (AP) -- The top health insurers in Massachusetts have posted sharply lower earnings for the second quarter compared with the year-ago period because of pressure from small business customers and the state to hold down premium increases Read >

Small businesses and individuals whose annual health insurance policies renew on Oct. 1 will see average premium base rate hikes of 2.1 percent in Massachusetts, increases that are more modest than the 5.5 percent average boost in base rates they absorbed a year ago. Read >

Updated chart with carrier due dates for new business is now available. Read >

The new law aims to save Massachusetts $200 billion over the next fifteen years by tying the growth of healthcare spending to the growth of the state’s economy. Read >

While the political squabble over the federal health care law continues, two Massachusetts health insurers see an opportunity to expand their out-of-state businesses and pick up thousands of new customers who must have coverage or face penalties. Read >