"Health & Medical News"

Washington — While the national health spending growth rate increased slightly in 2006, the percentage rise in expenditures on physician services slowed markedly, due largely to a small Medicare pay increase and its private-sector fallout, according to a new report by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.

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When Health Net held a conference call to discuss its third-quarter earnings, investment analysts pointed out one particular growth industry — covering mental health services for military members and their families.

Health Net President and CEO Jay Gellert agreed. He called the demand, fueled by the large number of Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans, a “positive surprise, which I think we anticipate to be ongoing.”

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Washington — Medicare and Medicaid spending would — if unaddressed — continue to grow faster than the economy over the next 75 years, but don’t blame it all on the baby boomers. Instead, look at the way physicians and hospitals are paid and how technology and new treatments drive costs, according to a first-ever Congressional Budget Office analysis of long-term health spending.

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An ever-growing number of drinking games aimed at college-age drinkers are hitting the marketplace, and more entrepreneurs are looking to cash in, ABC News reported Sept. 21.

Paper cups and ping-pong balls have been replaced with a variety of high-tech drinking games on college campuses and elsewhere. Examples include specialized dice, games involving roulette wheels, and drinking games based on the cartoon “Family Guy.” The latter orders players to drink when characters on the show take certain actions.

Popularity: 3% [?]