Analysis and discussion of issues that impact business

This can't be good news. Not really, anyway.

A final, $445 million settlement between HealthSouth Corp. and investors was announced Wednesday to end class-action lawsuits stemming from a huge fraud at the health services company.

Gee, I wonder who's going to end up footing the bill for this?

Pull out your checkbook.

Under the agreement, which goes to a judge for approval, the Birmingham-based company will pay $215 million in cash, stocks and warrants. Insurance companies will pay the remaining $230 million.

And where do you think the insurance companies will get that $230 million?

Fifteen former HealthSouth executives pleaded guilty in what prosecutors described as a $2.7 billion fraud, and jurors convicted a 16th.

I guess we can take solace in this fact.

And who said character doesn't matter?