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WASHINGTON?? U.S. healthcare spending barely rose in 2010 from record-low recession levels, as high unemployment and the loss of private health insurance forced many Americans to delay or forego medical treatment, government officials said on Monday.
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Spending edged up 3.9 percent, bringing the total size of the U.S. healthcare system to $2.6 trillion, or $8,402 per person, according to a report released by the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, or CMS, and published in the journal Health Affairs.
Growth in 2010 was only a slim 0.1 percentage point higher than the 3.8 percent recorded in 2009, which was the lowest rate recorded in half a century. Per capita health spending in the United States is still the highest worldwide.
"It's absolutely clear what's going on," said William Galston of the Brookings Institution. "People's budgets have been hard-hit, and even if they have 20 percent co-pays from their insurance companies, that 20 percent may still be too much."
The data are likely to play prominently in the political debate over U.S. government spending as President Barack Obama's 2010 healthcare reform law approaches challenges from the Supreme Court and he fights for reelection in November.
The healthcare industry's share of the U.S. economy was unchanged for the first time since 2006 at 17.9 percent as output from other sectors recovered from the downturn that ended in June 2009.
But even as recession-ravaged consumers avoided prescription drugs, hospitals, doctors and clinics in 2010, medical prices remained on an upward trajectory that slowed only marginally during the 2007-2009 recession.
Sharp increase down the road?
It was not clear how consumers might have fared in 2011 as the recovery gathered pace and unemployment declined. But some analysts said the durability of healthcare prices and pent-up demand for services could suggest a sharp increase in costs down the road.
Federal spending for Medicare and Medicaid, which benefit the elderly and the poor, respectively, is also a key issue in partisan political wrangling in Congress over the mounting federal debt and deficit that is widely expected to gather momentum after the 2012 elections.
The White House welcomed the report as evidence healthcare could be tamed but said it demonstrated the need for consumer protections set out in the Affordable Care Act health reform law, including a requirement that insurance companies justify large premium increases.
"In 2010, the net cost of health insurance - which includes the overhead and insurance company profits - increased by 8.4 percent. That's more than twice the increase in the cost of health care," deputy White House Chief of Staff Nancy-Ann DeParle said in an official blog posting.
Analysts also noted that insurance premiums grew faster than benefits for the first time in seven years.
The healthcare reform law, Obama's signature domestic policy achievement, accounted for only 0.1 percent of the rise in spending in 2010. But much of the law is not scheduled to take effect until 2014, when it is expected to extend coverage to more than 30 million uninsured Americans by expanding Medicaid and setting up state-run health insurance exchanges.
The federal government's $743 billion healthcare bill climbed to 29 percent of total spending, while other spending sources from businesses and households to state and local governments saw their shares of spending decline.
"The greater federal burden contributes more to the deficit, and so in early 2013 there will be even more pressure to cut back, specifically on Medicare, and the promises made to the uninsured through the Affordable Care Act," said Joseph Antos of the conservative American Enterprise Institute.
Federal spending in dollar terms rose mainly as a result of the Obama administration's efforts to help cash-strapped state governments by paying a greater share of Medicaid, which saw enrollment rise as 3.7 million people lost their private health insurance. The Medicaid assistance ended last July.
But the rate of spending growth slowed for both Medicaid and Medicare as Medicaid enrollment decelerated from recession levels and fewer senior citizens signed up for Medicare Advantage, which allows the elderly to purchase private insurance through Medicare.
Medicaid, which is jointly funded by federal and state governments, spent $401 billion, an increase of 7.2 percent. Medicare program costs grew 5 percent to $525 billion.
Prescription drugs, which accounted for 10 percent of healthcare spending, saw historically low growth due largely to the use of generic drugs, a drop in new product introductions and an increase in Medicaid prescription drug rebates.
Hospital services registered a fourth consecutive year of slower growth as consumers postponed medical care even at emergency rooms. Doctors and clinics also saw historically low spending growth, despite stable price increases, due to fewer visits and a less-severe flu season.
Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Source: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/45932673/ns/health-health_care/
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Christina Reynolds wanted her Facebook wall covered in pictures of socks last week.
For every picture of "crazy" socks that was tagged with her name, 10 cents went to her brother Aaron, 19, who was burned in a bonfire Dec. 29.
Sprague has been in the Joseph M. Still Burn Center in Augusta, Ga., since that night, when he and some friends were building a bonfire in a contained barrel at a Springdale Road home in Rock Hill.
Gary Sprague, Aaron's father, said his son had added new wood to the fire, then added gasoline, causing the fire to flare.
Aaron Sprague suffered first-, second- and third-degree burns on the upper half of his body, family members said. He was taken to Piedmont Medical Center before being transferred to the Georgia burn center.
Since then, Sprague has undergone multiple surgeries, said his aunt, Dawn Johnson.
"He has had numerous surgeries to remove the bad skin," she said "He has been in ICU for most of his stay."
Family, friends and acquaintances pitched in to help Sprague through Aaron's Burn Fund, which has raised more than $1,000 in two weeks. People can contribute to the fund by visiting any Founders Federal Credit Union branch, designating it to the Aaron M. Sprague Foundation, or online at aaronsburnfund.chipin.com/aarons-burn-fund.
"Crazy Socks for Aaron" was another fundraiser, this one designed by Reynolds, who is 22.
She wrote on her brother's Chip In fund page that her page was "covered in socks" and Rock Hill sure knew how to "rock her brother's socks."
The Patriot's Place on Facebook is making a donation to Sprague, who is enlisted in the Navy Reserves, for every purchase made.
In December, Gary Sprague said he and his wife expected to commute from Rock Hill to Augusta several times a week to visit their son.
All funds help them stay with their son as he recovers.
Sprague left the ICU on Saturday.
Johnson said Sprague is limited on the number of visitors he can receive.
"He has his good days and his bad," she said.
"I would like to thank everyone for their support and prayers."
Source: http://www.heraldonline.com/2012/01/10/3650402/facebook-helps-burn-victim.html
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FILE In this Dec. 24, 2011 file photo, Belgium's King Albert II delivers his traditional Christmas speech at the Royal Palace in Brussels. King Albert says he is joining all Belgians in the austerity drive to keep the budget within limits set by the European Union. In a rare public statement on his finances, the king said on Monday Jan. 9, 2012 that he wants the freeze the money he gets from the state and use the inflationary correction he gets every year on upkeep of the royal properties that normally are paid by the government. (AP Photo/Yves Logghe, file)
FILE In this Dec. 24, 2011 file photo, Belgium's King Albert II delivers his traditional Christmas speech at the Royal Palace in Brussels. King Albert says he is joining all Belgians in the austerity drive to keep the budget within limits set by the European Union. In a rare public statement on his finances, the king said on Monday Jan. 9, 2012 that he wants the freeze the money he gets from the state and use the inflationary correction he gets every year on upkeep of the royal properties that normally are paid by the government. (AP Photo/Yves Logghe, file)
FILE - In this April 29, 2011 file photo, Britain's Prince William and his wife Kate, Duchess of Cambridge stand outside of Westminster Abbey after their Royal Wedding in London. The Duchess of Cambridge is turning 30 on Monday, Jan. 9, 2011 - but royal fans expecting a lavish birthday bash to mark the milestone will be disappointed. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner, File)
FILE - In this July 7, 2011 file photo, Kate, the Duchess of Cambridge, arrives in Calgary, Canada as the couple undertake their Royal Tour of Canada. The Duchess of Cambridge is turning 30 on Monday, Jan. 9, 2011 - but royal fans expecting a lavish birthday bash to mark the milestone will be disappointed. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel, File)
Spain's Princess Letizia attends the Pascua Militar or annual Christmas Epiphany military parade at the Royal Palace, in Madrid, on Friday, Jan. 6, 2012.(AP Photo/Daniel Ochoa de Olza)
From left: Spain's Princess Letizia, Crown Prince Felipe, King Juan Carlos, Queen Sofia, and Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy listen to Spain's national anthem during the Pascua Militar or annual Christmas Epiphany military parade at the Royal Palace, in Madrid, on Friday, Jan. 6, 2012.(AP Photo/Daniel Ochoa de Olza)
BRUSSELS (AP) ? Belgium's King Albert II on Monday said he'll use part of his salary to help pay for the upkeep on his properties, making him the latest European royal whose pocketbook is being squeezed by the economic woes afflicting the continent.
The financial crisis has hit several European countries that still have royal families, including Spain, Britain and Belgium. With their palaces, estates and often ostentatious tastes, monarchs and their kin have faced criticism as governments pass austerity measures, and some have seen their public funding cut.
"It shows that in countries with serious financial problems" even monarchies cannot escape the pressure, said Professor Herman Matthijs, who teaches public finance at Belgium's University of Ghent.
In a rare public statement on his finances, King Albert said he wants to freeze the euro10.8 million ($13.8 million) he gets from the state. He intends to use an automatic 2012 salary inflation adjustment of some 3 percent ? or roughly euro350,000 ($446,000) ? to help pay for some property maintenance costs normally borne by the government.
The amount may be relatively small, but even such a symbolic concession could help ease the pressure on the royal family, which increased last week when it became clear the Belgian constitution forces the government to pay out the inflation adjustment under any circumstance. Such a salary increase would come as Belgium prepares to impose new austerity measures on the population next month.
Belgium must keep its annual budget within the 3 percent of economic output demanded by the European Union or risks steep sanctions.
"We will have to take serious measures in February, and anyone who claims they won't be felt is wrong," Finance Minister Steven Vanackere said Monday.
In a statement, the royal palace said Albert "already had the intention to voluntarily contribute to the austerity measures." The king and his family have a palace in town and on the outskirts as well as several residences across the nation.
In Spain, where the bite of the crisis is especially fierce, the royal palace was assigned an annual budget of euro8.4 million ($11 million) by parliament last year. That was a budget cut of some 5 percent overall and palace employees, including the king, had their salaries cut by up to 15 percent.
Britain's austerity drive also has touched Buckingham palace.
Official accounts showed British taxpayers spent 32.1 million pounds ($49.5 million) supporting the monarchy in 2011, 5.3 percent less than the prior year. Much of the saving came from cutting the maintenance bill of royal residences from 15.4 million pounds ($23.8 million) to 11.9 million pounds ($18.4 million).
Even in the Netherlands, which is still doing well compared to many other European countries, the royals are tightening their belts.
The budget for Queen Beatrix, Crown Prince Willem Alexander and his wife Princess Maxima was cut in 2011 by euro422,000 ($537,000) to euro39.2 million (49.9 million), according to the Royal House website.
Most of the savings came in the form of cuts to the royals' private travel expenses. Also, the queen forked over euro163,000 ($207,466) from her own pocket for maintenance on her private yacht, the Groene Draeck.
__
Associated Press Writers Mike Corder in Amsterdam and Ciaran Giles in Madrid contributed to this story.
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Robert, Jason and I have completed our early 2012 fantasy baseball position rankings, and now we continue our rankings coverage with AL-only and NL-only Position Rankings. Today, I will cover the AL-Only and NL-only first base rankings. First base has long been known as a deep position, and it appears the AL is much deeper than the NL this year, especially after Albert Pujols said sayonara to the Cardinals at the Winter Meetings. I have ranked the free agent first baseman in both lists.
AL-Only Rankings
AL-Only
1. Miguel Cabrera, DET
2. Adrian Gonzalez, BOS
3. Albert Pujols, LAA
4. Prince Fielder, TBD
5. Mark Teixeira, NYY
The rest of my rankings with a some notes about a few of them after the jump:
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6. Eric Hosmer, KC
7. Paul Konerko, CHW
8. Carlos Santana, CLE
9. Mike Napoli, TEX
10. Mark Reynolds, BAL
11. Michael Young, TEX
12. Adam Lind, TOR
13. Justin Smoak, SEA
14. Michael Cuddyer, TBD
15. Mark Trumbo, LAA
16. Adam Dunn, CHW
17. Mitch Moreland, TEX
18. Kendrys Morales, LAA
19. Justin Morneau, MIN
20. Mike Carp, SEA
21. Matt Laporta, CLE
22. Casey Kotchman, TB
23. Chris Parmalee, MIN
24. Dan Johnson, TB
25. Chris Davis, BAL
I still like Miguel Cabrera and Adrian Gonzalez over Albert Pujols, even with the move to the AL West. I have a hard time looking past Pujols drop in power over the last few years and wonder if it is the beginning of a downtrend in his power. Maybe he gets more days off in LA where Scioscia can DH him once a week come midseason to keep him fresh. But, I will wait and see if that happens this year. Pujols could feel added pressure, ala Carl Crawford, with the huge contract hanging over his head. Plus, he is moving to a new league where he has not seen many of the pitchers.
2012 may not be the year Eric Hosmer breaks out, but I think he can improve upon his 2011 showing. He has 25-30 home run power and can steal double digit bags, with a solid BA to with all that. He very well could move up these rankings come 2013.
Another guy who could move up these rankings, and you can get pretty late in drafts is Seattle first baseman Justin Smoak. Smoak dealt with some personal issues due to the death of his father and a hand injury that sapped his power, so he could be the sleeper amongst first baseman in 2012.
NL-Only
1. Joey Votto, CIN
2. Prince Fielder, TBD
3. Michael Morse, WAS
4. Ryan Howard, PHI
5. Freddie Freeman, ATL
6. Ike Davis, NYM
7. Lance Berkman, STL
8. Gaby Sanchez, MIA
9. Paul Goldschmidt, ARI
10. Carlos Lee, HOU
11. Carlos Pena, TBD
12. Lucas Duda, NYM
13. Yonder Alonso, SD
14. Adam LaRoche, WAS
15 James Loney, LAD
16. Brandon Belt, SFG
17. Aubrey Huff, SFG
18. Derrek Lee, TBD
19. Todd Helton, COL
20. Anthony Rizzo, SD
21. Ty Wigginton, PHI
22. Juan Rivera, LAD
23. Casey Kotchman, TBD
24. Daniel Murphy, NYM
25. Brett Wallace, HOU
Wow. You see what happens when Albert Pujols leaves for the American League? Prince Fielder may yet follow him, and Ryan Howard will miss at least the first month of the season, and probably more. The Phillies picked up Ty Wigginton and Jim Thome for a reason, and I think it because Howard will be out a lot longer than GM Ruben Amaro Jr. is indicating.
First base in NL-Only leagues has gone from very good to terrible. After Votto, who do you really want to draft early? Michael Morse? More on him later. Lance Berkman? I am not buying his 2011 season. Ryan Howard? He will be out longer than you think? Freddie Freeman? Does he have a Jason Heyward-like second year in the majors? It's tough pickings, so those of you in NL-Only leagues can grab another outfielder before drafting your first baseman in 2012 drafts.
One guy who some think had a fluke year in 2011 is Nationals first baseman Michael Morse. I am not so sure I agree with that thought. Morse had some solid monthly splits. With the exception of September, where he probably tired, and April where he barely played, Morse never hit below .299, and had only one month where he hit less than 6 home runs. Will he repeat in 2012? I think so, and I would be a buyer on draft day.
Lucas Duda is another sleeper pick for me, as I can see him hitting 20+ home runs and driving in 85-90 runs for the Mets. He will probably play right field, but has first base eligibility in 2012. He should be able to take advantage of the Mets decision to move the fences in this offseason, and I could see him approach 25 home run in 2012.
Source: http://www.faketeams.com/2012/1/9/2617158/fantasy-baseball-2012-al-only-nl-only-first-base-rankings
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By MEGAN MANAGAN
Kirkland Reporter Sports Writer
January 6, 2012 ? Updated 11:26 AM?
The Lake Washington gymnastics team beat Sammamish on Thursday, Jan. 5. The final score was 142.1 for the Kangs to the Totems 134.55.
Holly Sullivan won the all around competition for the Kangs with a score of 30.25, while teammate Manon Debuire was second with 29.9.
Debuire also won the vault with an 8.4 and Sullivan was second with an 8.1. In the bars competition Debuire was second with a 6.4 and Sullivan was third at 6.1. Sullivan took the individual win in the beam with a 7.3, while Kaina Johnson was second with a 7.1. Sullivan also won the floor competition, scoring an 8.7 and Amanda Humphres was third with an 8.3.
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Contact Kirkland Reporter Sports Writer Megan Managan at mmanagan@kirklandreporter.com.Source: http://feeds.soundpublishing.com/~r/kirsports/~3/-MUi0mFd2fI/136824373.html
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