Lawmakers search for answers to address rising insurance costs (pdf)
Business representatives and insurance providers told the committee that increased consumer choice and reform of the small-group health insurance market are two issues that, if addressed, could help curb the rising cost of health care in the state.

Big Five talk budget strategy
Leaders of five of the state’s largest jurisdictions — Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Howard and Montgomery counties and Baltimore city — met Wednesday in North Bethesda on Wednesday to discuss the state’s projected $1.5 billion deficit and how it will affect local governments.

Senate panel approves BRAC funding
A Senate panel approved $984.2 million yesterday for military construction in Maryland, including $719.7 million to accommodate the base realignment that is expected to bring tens of thousands of jobs to the state.

R&D Goes Global With only 5 percent of the world’s population in the United States, any manufacturer who declines to participate in the growing prosperity abroad is missing out on major market developments, to say the least.

In Health Care, Cost Isn’t Proof of High Quality
Stark evidence that high medical payments do not necessarily buy high-quality patient care is presented in a hospital study set for release today.