Insurance Companies Required to Spend More on Patient Care

In 2011 health insurers will have to follow a new set of rules that details how much money they must spend on patients' medical care, according to guidelines the Obama administration released Monday.

The rules are part of the health care reform law, which mandates that insurers spend a minimum of 85 percent of the premiums that they take in on patient care rather than administrative costs or profit (insurers who sell to small groups and individuals will spend a minimum of 80%).

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Ford Posts an Unexpected Profit of $997 Million

Ford Motor Company delivered surprising news on Monday - its cost-cutting efforts and improving sales helped it earn nearly $1 billion in the third quarter.

Ford, which earned $997 million in the third quarter and made money in North America for the first time since 2005, has turned itself around largely by cutting costs and introducing cars that consumers want to buy, rather than resorting to deep discounts to lure shoppers into showrooms.

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Lola Gonzalez laid herself off to save her employees' jobs

Folks like Lola inspire us all. Her story of selflessness and commitment to her employees is truly amazing. 

Like countless small-business owners, Lola Gonzalez agonizingly resolved to trim her firm's nine-person staff when the economic recovery began to sputter last spring.

Unlike other entrepreneurs, she picked an unlikely employee to lay off: herself.

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