Business briefs
Steel executives want Trump to curb ‘surge of imports’
U.S. steelmakers have asked President Donald Trump to immediately curb imports, saying subsidized foreign steel and the excess capacity of China and other nations is “undermining the viability of the U.S. steel industry.” “The sustained surge of steel imports ... has hollowed out much of the domestic steel industry and threatens our ability to meet national security needs,” they wrote in a letter to Mr. Trump. The executives, including U.S. Steel president and CEO David Burritt, said imports have continued to rise since Mr. Trump ordered a review of whether steel imports threaten national security.
Lawyers: Aetna envelope window reveals HIV status
Two legal organizations say health insurer Aetna revealed the HIV status of patients in several states by mailing envelopes with a large, clear window that showed information on purchasing HIV prescriptions. The Legal Action Center and the AIDS Law Project of Pennsylvania say some patients’ relatives and neighbors learned of their HIV status as a result. Aetna says that “this type of mistake is unacceptable” and that the company is reviewing processes to ensure it never happens again. The Hartford, Conn.based Aetna started notifying customers of the breach in letters sent this week. Patients were in Arizona, California, Georgia, Illinois, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Washington, D.C.
Insurer found for lone county off exchange
Ohio’s insurance department confirms the lone county in the nation at risk of going without an insurer to offer care under the federal health law has landed a provider. The department said Care Source will provide health insurance coverage in Paulding County next year. Republican Ohio Gov. John Kasich has helped spearhead bipartisan efforts aimed at stabilizing insurance markets. The most recent analysis by the Kaiser Family Foundation identified Paulding, in northwest Ohio just south of Toledo, as the final county at risk of lacking a provider when 2018 signups begin Nov. 1. Earlier this year, well over 40 mostly rural counties faced the prospect of having no options for exchanges created under President Barack Obama’s Affordable Care Act.
Apple gets $208M in tax breaks for data centers
Iowa approved a deal to give Apple $208 million in state and local tax breaks to build two data storage centers near Des Moines and to create at least 50 jobs — a pact that critics quickly panned. The deal approved by the Iowa Economic Development Authority includes a refund of $19.6 million in state sale taxes for Apple Inc. and a $188 million break on property taxes. Apple has agreed to buy 2,000 acres of land for the $1.4 billion project. Apple CEO Tim Cook promised to invest $100 million to a new public improvement fund for community development, including the revitalization of streets, libraries and parks. Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds defended the use of the tax credits at a time when the state budget shortfall may require a special legislative session to address, saying it’s a minimal investment for the return Iowa will get.
Sears set to close 28 additional Kmart stores
Sears Holdings Inc., which operates Sears and Kmart stores, said it will shutter 28 more Kmart stores. The retailer, which reported secondquarter results illustrating that its long-term turnaround struggle continues, already had closed 180 stores so far this year. It has previously announced plans to cut another 150 before the latest additions to the list. None of the new stores scheduled to close are in Western Pennsylvania.