Health insurers agree to end higher premiums for women

Insurance companies have offered to end the practice of charging higher premiums to women than to men for the same coverage. Karen M. Ignagni, president of America's Health Insurance Plans, made the offer in testifying before the Senate Finance Committee. It was the latest concession by insurers as Congress drafts legislation to overhaul the $2.5 trillion healthcare industry. In November, insurers said they would accept all customers, regardless of illness or disability, if Congress required all Americans to have coverage. In March, insurers offered to stop charging higher premiums to sick people.