Medicare Premiums

Missoulian: Medicare premiums going up $5 a month for 2013 

2013 Medicare update
“These and other parts of the law will result in significant savings. We estimate that the health care law will save the average person in traditional Medicare $5,000 through 2022.  Earlier this year we projected that the standard premium for Medicare Part B (which covers certain doctors’ services, outpatient care, medical supplies, and preventive services) would rise by more than $9.00 a month in 2013. Today we announced that the actual rise will be lower—$5.00—bringing 2013 Part B premiums to $104.90 a month. By law, the premium must cover a percent of Medicare’s expenses; premium increases are in line with projected cost increases.  Medicare Part B premiums have gone up slowly over the past five years – an average of less than 2 percent a year, or $8.50 total.”

Alcohol and Obesity

Missoulian: Booze calories nearly equal soda's for US adults

Calories Consumed From Alcoholic Beverages by U.S. Adults,2007–2010 

“Although the risks of excessive alcohol consumption in terms of injury and chronic disease (2) are well known, less is known about the calories consumed from alcoholic beverages. As with calorically sweetened beverages, alcoholic beverages are a top contributor to caloric intake but provide few nutrients.”

Alcohol Consumption

• Adults who have had at least one drink of alcohol within the past 30 days
• Binge drinkers (males having five or more drinks on one occasion, females having four or more drinks on one occasion)
• Heavy drinkers (adult men having more than two drinks per day and adult women having more than one drink per day)

Illegal Hunting

Missoulian: 5 busted for illegal hunting in north-central Montana

Illegal Hunting & Outfitting Case Nets Multiple Defendant

“It was discovered that nonresident hunters were coming up to the ranch to hunt antlered deer but were only purchasing antlerless Deer B licenses,” Paulsen said. “The hunting took place on both private and public lands. Huntley acted as an outfitter and provided the lease and accommodations for the nonresident hunters under the ruse that they were participating in a legal hunting club.” 

Patraeus

Missoulian: Scandal widens in probe of top US general'semails

Message from General David H. Petraeus

“Yesterday afternoon, I went to the White House and asked the President to be allowed, for personal reasons, to resign from my position as D/CIA.  After being married for over 37 years, I showed extremely poor judgment by engaging in an extramarital affair. Such behavior is unacceptable, both as a husband and as the leader of an organization such as ours. This afternoon, the President graciously accepted my resignation.”