Economy

NPR and ProPublica have been reporting about nonprofit hospitals that seize the wages of lower-income patients. Sen. Chuck Grassley says hospitals doing that could be breaking the law.

BB&T Corp. confirmed Thursday it has eliminated 1,440 full-time job positions since March 31. The cuts were disclosed in a fourth-quarter report in which the bank announced record earnings.

The European Central Bank will begin buying up Eurozone country government bonds in a bid to stimulate Europe's flagging economy. The Federal Reserve implemented a similar program after the 2008 financial crisis, and it is credited with helping to keep the U.S. economy on track.

Three years ago, Cornerstone Health Care in High Point laid out a plan to change how it cares for patients, and perhaps just as importantly, how it gets paid to deliver that care.

The ECB will begin buying up eurozone member government bonds in a bid to stimulate Europe's flagging economy. America's Federal Reserve had a similar program that aided recovery from its 2008 crisis.

Along California's central coast, the city of Monterey and the Army's Defense Language Institute have formed a partnership, saving about $2 million a year by sharing costs.

Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will begin allowing first-time homebuyers to put down as little as 3 percent. But critics say the move is risky and could create another housing crisis.

In exchange for tax breaks, nonprofit hospitals provide assistance to poor patients. But some hospitals seize wages from poor patients with unpaid bills — even those who qualify for reduced-cost care.

President Obama wants to expand an existing tax credit for child care and create a new one for families with two working spouses. He also wants to make two years of community college free and expand access to retirement savings programs.