Healthcare costs will rise 6.8 percent next year, following a 6.5 percent increase this year, according to a study from consulting firm PricewaterhouseCoopers.
As for the factors that will push prices higher, the study cited the "economic upswing," specialty drugs, physician employment and information technology investments.
When it comes to the economy, "more confident consumers are visiting doctors and the number of people delaying care has notably declined," the report stated.
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DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
Thursday, June 26, 2014
Big break in IRS case will change scandal’s course
New evidence about the actions of the IRS official at the center of the investigation into the agency’s systematic targeting of President Obama’s political adversaries is intensifying the firestorm over the alleged corruption. IRS executive Lois Lernerapparently pushed for an audit of one of the administration’s most outspoken critics in the Senate. In emails with a colleague, Lerner claims to have mistakenly received an invitation to Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, to give a speech to a non-profit group in 2012. Lerner wrote that the group offered to pay for Grassley’s wife to attend. Lerner wanted to sic investigators on Grassley, even though, as her colleague observed, the offer was not improper. How did Lerner, a then-unknown IRS division manager, end up with a speaking invitation to an Iowa Republican Senator? We can’t know because Lerner refuses to testify. What other notable Republican did she suggest be targeted? We can’t find out because the agency “recycled” the hard drives that the IRS says include her sent items from the key period of the targeting. But what we do know is: Pushing for the selective prosecution of a high-profile administration adversary in the Senate is a big deal and will change the way this case moves forward.
“We don’t want her in jail, we want the truth. We want the truth more than anything else...” – House Oversight Committee Chairman Darrell Issa, R-Calif. on “The Kelly File” making his first-ever demand for a special prosecutor into the targeting of the president’s political enemies. Watch the full interview here.
Game changer - The good news for the administration is that this revelation makes it easier to sell the narrative that Lerner was the source of the corruption and that her removal was curative. This is fuel for the bus the White House is trying to throw Lerner under. The bad news for the administration is that the revelation of a rank, partisan abuse like this one, especially aimed at the legislative branch, may break the dam of resistance to an outside investigation. Coming on the heels of the admission that the agency had trashed evidence in the case, Democrats will feel increasing pressure to demand more than the apparently stalled internal investigation in the administration. Remember, outrage in the Senate over domestic spying didn’t get really hot until it was revealed that lawmakers themselves were targets. A special prosecutor is the only way out.
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“We don’t want her in jail, we want the truth. We want the truth more than anything else...” – House Oversight Committee Chairman Darrell Issa, R-Calif. on “The Kelly File” making his first-ever demand for a special prosecutor into the targeting of the president’s political enemies. Watch the full interview here.
Game changer - The good news for the administration is that this revelation makes it easier to sell the narrative that Lerner was the source of the corruption and that her removal was curative. This is fuel for the bus the White House is trying to throw Lerner under. The bad news for the administration is that the revelation of a rank, partisan abuse like this one, especially aimed at the legislative branch, may break the dam of resistance to an outside investigation. Coming on the heels of the admission that the agency had trashed evidence in the case, Democrats will feel increasing pressure to demand more than the apparently stalled internal investigation in the administration. Remember, outrage in the Senate over domestic spying didn’t get really hot until it was revealed that lawmakers themselves were targets. A special prosecutor is the only way out.
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Free And Reduced Price Meals Available For Income-Eligible Students
Meal benefit forms will be sent home with a letter to parents or guardians. To apply for free or reduced price meals, households should fill out the form for their household and return it to the school. Additional copies are available at the principal’s office in each school. The information provided on the forms will be used to determine eligibility and may be verified at any time during the school year by school or other program officials.
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The Flier That Got Thad Cochran Elected?
It’s generally agreed that Thad Cochran squeaked out a win in Mississippi last night in part by getting Democrats, especially African Americans, to turn out. Here’s a flier that was distributed in heavily black precincts suggesting how he accomplished this:
Source
Bring Obama your huddled, illegal youths; he invited them
“Death trains” rumbling through Mexico teeming with children, headed for the U.S. border. Teenage girls raped. Unspeakable violence at the hands of ruthless coyotes, carrying out President Obama’s stunningly reckless new foreign policy.
Of course, Mr. Obama did not issue a formal edict inviting each of the tens of thousands of children pouring over the border from Mexico. He didn’t have to. His executive action legalizing underage illegals in the U.S. was all the invitation they needed. And come they did.
At this hot pace, we will have more than a quarter-million orphaned children on the border by the end of next year — each and every one the sole responsibility of Mr. Obama.
Actions have consequences, Mr. President. And executive actions have executive consequences. You are personally responsible for the harrowing condition of every one of these children. You are personally responsible for ripping apart every single one of these families.
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Of course, Mr. Obama did not issue a formal edict inviting each of the tens of thousands of children pouring over the border from Mexico. He didn’t have to. His executive action legalizing underage illegals in the U.S. was all the invitation they needed. And come they did.
At this hot pace, we will have more than a quarter-million orphaned children on the border by the end of next year — each and every one the sole responsibility of Mr. Obama.
Actions have consequences, Mr. President. And executive actions have executive consequences. You are personally responsible for the harrowing condition of every one of these children. You are personally responsible for ripping apart every single one of these families.
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Jon Stewart Mocks Hillary Clinton And Joe Biden's 'Poor-Off'
"Daily Show" host Jon Stewart lampooned a recent series of awkward comments both Hillary Clinton and Vice President Joe Biden have made about their wealth in recent weeks. Stewart characterized the attempts by Clinton and Biden, who are both widely viewed as potential 2016 presidential candidates, to downplay their financial success as a "Poor-Off" contest held to appeal "to traditional blue collar Reagan Democrat voters."
"Why do these two seem to think we need a hobo for president?" Stewart asked. "Own what you have, it's fine."
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"Why do these two seem to think we need a hobo for president?" Stewart asked. "Own what you have, it's fine."
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Hyundai's latest car automatically slows down for speed cameras
Hyundai has unveiled a new luxury sedan that is capable of outsmarting speed cameras.
Known as the Hyundai Genesis, the car will slow down automatically if it is being driven over the speed limit.
Its automatic braking technology combines with GPS locations of speed cameras to slow the car down if it detects it is in danger of getting a ticket - but only in range of a camera.
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Known as the Hyundai Genesis, the car will slow down automatically if it is being driven over the speed limit.
Its automatic braking technology combines with GPS locations of speed cameras to slow the car down if it detects it is in danger of getting a ticket - but only in range of a camera.
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Elderly Victim Unable To Identify Defendant In Carjacking Trial
A 90-year-old woman tells a jury about spending two days locked in the trunk of her own car and being released in a Seaford-area cemetery as the sun was coming up.
Margaret Smith took the stand Wednesday in Georgetown in the trial of Rondaiges Harper, one of four teens, prosecutors say was involved in the March 2013 carjacking incident, which started in Milford.
Walt Barcus with our sister station, Delaware 105.9, was inside the courtroom. He says Smith was clear in her ability to recount many details about the incident, except one key factor.
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Margaret Smith took the stand Wednesday in Georgetown in the trial of Rondaiges Harper, one of four teens, prosecutors say was involved in the March 2013 carjacking incident, which started in Milford.
Walt Barcus with our sister station, Delaware 105.9, was inside the courtroom. He says Smith was clear in her ability to recount many details about the incident, except one key factor.
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Monsanto Tries to Patent & Control Natural, Non-GMO Tomatoes
Monsanto manipulated documents to make the plant look ‘invented’..
In an appalling attempt to patent yet another seed, Monsanto has resorted to fraud to try to gain rights to a tomato which contains a naturally occurring resistance to a fungal disease called botrytis. The tomato is not genetically modified, but Monsanto manipulated documents to make the plant look ‘invented’by biotech when the plant’s true maker is Mother Nature, herself.
Representatives of No Patents on Seeds! have called attention to this shady play of the biotech industry to try to outrun their failing genetic experiments. The original tomatoes used for this patent came from the international gene bank in Gatersleben, Germany, and they have shown this resistance for ages, well before biotech started monkeying with our food supply.
“Because crossing tomatoes is not patentable, Monsanto deliberately rephrased the patent during the period of examination to make it appear as if genetic engineering was involved. However, careful reading of the patent shows that this is simply fraudulent. These tomatoes were not produced by transferring isolated DNA. The European Patent Office should have picked up on this,” says Christoph Then for No Patents on Seeds!. “This patent shows just how easy it is for companies like Monsanto to avoid existing prohibitions in patent law.”
Current patent law states that “essentially biological processes for the production of plants and animals” are excluded from patentability.
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In an appalling attempt to patent yet another seed, Monsanto has resorted to fraud to try to gain rights to a tomato which contains a naturally occurring resistance to a fungal disease called botrytis. The tomato is not genetically modified, but Monsanto manipulated documents to make the plant look ‘invented’by biotech when the plant’s true maker is Mother Nature, herself.
Representatives of No Patents on Seeds! have called attention to this shady play of the biotech industry to try to outrun their failing genetic experiments. The original tomatoes used for this patent came from the international gene bank in Gatersleben, Germany, and they have shown this resistance for ages, well before biotech started monkeying with our food supply.
“Because crossing tomatoes is not patentable, Monsanto deliberately rephrased the patent during the period of examination to make it appear as if genetic engineering was involved. However, careful reading of the patent shows that this is simply fraudulent. These tomatoes were not produced by transferring isolated DNA. The European Patent Office should have picked up on this,” says Christoph Then for No Patents on Seeds!. “This patent shows just how easy it is for companies like Monsanto to avoid existing prohibitions in patent law.”
Current patent law states that “essentially biological processes for the production of plants and animals” are excluded from patentability.
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Baltimore Mayor Speaks Out Against ‘Knockout Game’
LANHAM, Md. (WNEW) – After two recent “knockout games” left several people in Baltimore injured, the city’s mayor has decided to speak out.
WNEW Annapolis Bureau Chief Karen Adams reports that Baltimore City Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake is disgusted by the attacks and says they are not a game.
“They don’t understand the consequences,” Rawlings-Blake said. “If you knock someone out, you could think its a joke and you’ll hurt somebody – that person could die. And then your life is ruined for some stupidity that you and your friends think is fun. It’s just not worth it.”
Rawlings-Blake said Wednesday that adults in the city can help to prevent these crimes by being more involved in the lives of children who may be roaming the streets.
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WNEW Annapolis Bureau Chief Karen Adams reports that Baltimore City Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake is disgusted by the attacks and says they are not a game.
“They don’t understand the consequences,” Rawlings-Blake said. “If you knock someone out, you could think its a joke and you’ll hurt somebody – that person could die. And then your life is ruined for some stupidity that you and your friends think is fun. It’s just not worth it.”
Rawlings-Blake said Wednesday that adults in the city can help to prevent these crimes by being more involved in the lives of children who may be roaming the streets.
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NYC Loses Appeal To Ban Large Sugary Drinks
(CNN) -- New York's Court of Appeals ruled Thursday that New York City's ban on large sugary drinks, which was previously blocked by lower courts, is illegal.
"We hold that the New York City Board of Health, in adopting the 'Sugary Drinks Portion Cap Rule,' exceeded the scope of its regulatory authority," the ruling said.
Former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg had pushed for the ban on sugary drinks larger than 16 ounces as a way to fight obesity and other health problems.
Sugary drinks linked to 180,000 deaths worldwide
Source
"We hold that the New York City Board of Health, in adopting the 'Sugary Drinks Portion Cap Rule,' exceeded the scope of its regulatory authority," the ruling said.
Former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg had pushed for the ban on sugary drinks larger than 16 ounces as a way to fight obesity and other health problems.
Sugary drinks linked to 180,000 deaths worldwide
Source
Pennsylvania considers performance-based layoffs for teachers
Pennsylvania lawmakers are considering a bill that would allow school administrators to base layoff decisions in part on teachers’ performance, as measured by the state’s new evaluation system.
“My goal is to protect our high-quality educators, regardless of seniority,” said Rep. Ryan Aument, the bill’s co-sponsor. “Seniority should not be the primary way decisions are made.”
If the bill passes, Pennsylvania will join the 22 states requiring that seniority not be the only factor in teacher layoff decisions, and the 18 states that explicitly mandate teacher performance be considered, according to National Council on Teacher Quality.
“When a layoff comes in Pennsylvania now, it doesn’t matter how they’re doing. Good teachers who are knocking it out of the park can be laid off just like somebody who’s phoning it in,” said Nancy Waymack, managing director for district policy at NCTQ. “I think for those folks who are really knocking it out of the park who may be lower in seniority when the layoff comes up, they may be more likely to look around and see if there are other (career) options that are more secure.”
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“My goal is to protect our high-quality educators, regardless of seniority,” said Rep. Ryan Aument, the bill’s co-sponsor. “Seniority should not be the primary way decisions are made.”
If the bill passes, Pennsylvania will join the 22 states requiring that seniority not be the only factor in teacher layoff decisions, and the 18 states that explicitly mandate teacher performance be considered, according to National Council on Teacher Quality.
“When a layoff comes in Pennsylvania now, it doesn’t matter how they’re doing. Good teachers who are knocking it out of the park can be laid off just like somebody who’s phoning it in,” said Nancy Waymack, managing director for district policy at NCTQ. “I think for those folks who are really knocking it out of the park who may be lower in seniority when the layoff comes up, they may be more likely to look around and see if there are other (career) options that are more secure.”
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Traffic Alert In Berlin
Traffic Alert. Traffic lights along Route 50 from Route 113 in Berlin are not functioning. Police and Fire units are attempting to control each intersection. Please use caution and pay attention in these areas. Power is supposed to be restored by this afternoon.
The areas affected is from Berlin to Ocean City
BREAKING NEWS: Supreme Court limits president’s recess appointment power
Supreme Court limits president’s power to make temporary appointments to high-level government posts, ruling unanimously that President Obama went too far in naming members to a labor board during a brief Senate recess.
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One In Five Eligible Voters Went To Polls In Primary
The official numbers from state election officials confirm what many already knew, not a lot of people voted in the primary election.
With all but seven precincts reporting, the Maryland State Board of Elections reports 20.4-percent of eligible voters, one out of five went to the polls either Tuesday or during the early voting period.
That's down from the last gubernatorial primary in 2010 when the turnout was more than 25-percent.
Based on Percentages, the highest turnout was in Talbot County, where 35-percent of voters went to the polls, due in part to a hotly contested Republican Primary for State Senate. In that race, Delegate Addie Eckhardt defeated incumbent Republican Senator Richard Colburn. Colburn has been criticized by opponents for his divorce, after a highly publicized affair with a female aide.
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With all but seven precincts reporting, the Maryland State Board of Elections reports 20.4-percent of eligible voters, one out of five went to the polls either Tuesday or during the early voting period.
That's down from the last gubernatorial primary in 2010 when the turnout was more than 25-percent.
Based on Percentages, the highest turnout was in Talbot County, where 35-percent of voters went to the polls, due in part to a hotly contested Republican Primary for State Senate. In that race, Delegate Addie Eckhardt defeated incumbent Republican Senator Richard Colburn. Colburn has been criticized by opponents for his divorce, after a highly publicized affair with a female aide.
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WCSO Most Wanted 6-26-14
• White Male, 5’09” 155 lbs
• DOB 04/22/1959 55 years of age
• Bray hair, Green eyes
• Galvin’s last known address was Berlin MD
• Galvin is wanted by the Sheriff’s Office on two District Court Bench Warrants issued for for Failure to Appear in June and August on the charges of CDS Possess Marijuana and traffic charges
• The preset bond is $5,000
• Galvin has a history of DRUG ABUSE
Blaise Delma (NMN)• Black Male, 5’09” 190 lbs
• DOB 05/04/1960 54 years of age
• Black hair, Brown eyes
• Delma’s last known address was Hurlock MD but is known to have left that address
• Delma also uses the name Blaise Delmar or Delma Blaise
• Delma is wanted by the Sheriff’s Office on a District Court Bench Warrant issued in December 2012 for Violation of Probation on the charges of Forgery Private Doc, Issue False Doc, and Theft under $1000
• The preset bond is $10,000
• Black Female, 5’07” 150 lbs
• DOB 12/03/1986 27 years of age
• Black hair, Brown eyes
• Cropper’s last known address was Salisbury MD
• Cropper is wanted by the Sheriff's Office on a District Court Arrest Warrant issued in October 2012 for Theft $1000 to $10,000 and Theft under $1000
• Cropper has a history of DRUG ABUSE
• We will extradite Cropper from all states East of the Mississippi
White Male, 5’07” 190 lbs
DOB 02/01/1990 24 years of age
Brown hair, Blue eyes
Clarks’ last known address was Cambridge, MD but he may have fled the state
Clark is wanted by the Sheriff’s Office on a District Court Bench Warrant issued for Failure to Appear in December 2011 for a Violation of Probation hearing on the charge of Theft scheme over $500
The preset bond is $10,000
The state will extradite him from DE PA DC VA and WV
• Black Male, 5’07” 160 lbs
• DOB 08/25/1945 68 years of age
• Black hair, Brown eyes
• Ali’s last known address was Salisbury MD
• Ali also uses the name Jesse Lee Crawford
• Ali is wanted by the Sheriff’s Office on a District Court Arrest Warrant issued in August 2013 for Trespass Posted Property and Litter under 100 lbs
• Ali should be APPROACHED WITH CAUTION
New Emails Show Lois Lerner Tried to Have Sen. Chuck Grassley Audited
Startling new emails from the woman at the center of the IRS tea party-targeting scandal show that in 2012 she suggested referring Iowa Republican Sen. Chuck Grassley for a possible audit.
The email exchange — released by the Republican-controlled House Ways and Means Committee on Wednesday — took place in December 2012, and shows that Lois Lerner, former director of the IRS' Exempt Organizations Unit, mistakenly received an invitation to speak at an event. Her invitation was meant for Grassley.
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The email exchange — released by the Republican-controlled House Ways and Means Committee on Wednesday — took place in December 2012, and shows that Lois Lerner, former director of the IRS' Exempt Organizations Unit, mistakenly received an invitation to speak at an event. Her invitation was meant for Grassley.
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