11 Ways to be Healthier in 2011

11 Ways to be Healthier in 2011


By Nicole Gregory, Special to LifescriptPublished January 10, 2011Ready to be healthier this year – and for the rest of your life? It’s easier than you think. We have the latest research showing what to do... If you’ve made a resolution to get healthier this year, chances are you already know to eat better, exercise more and cut out bad habits.



So why aren’t you doing it? Too hard? Can’t stick with it? Luckily for you, researchers across the globe are working on ways to make that healthy lifestyle within reach. Read on for their insights and tips on making this year your healthiest ever.

1. Eat better, live longer.

A few dietary changes could reduce your risk of dying by 40%, according to a 2010 University of Maryland study.In research that examined 2,500 older adults over 10 years, those who ate the healthiest diet – with fruit, whole grains, low-fat dairy, poultry, fish and vegetables – had much higher survival rates than those who ate poorly, with high amounts of cheese and other fatty foods.How do you change your eating habits? Gradually, says senior author Nadine R. Sahyoun, Ph.D., R.D.“Replace fried foods and sweets with grilled or baked foods,” she says. “Decide which vegetables you enjoy and then look for recipes that feature them. Make sure a salad is on the dinner table every day, and add different veggies, fruits and nuts for variety and taste.”



2. Eat less, grow younger.

Exercise and cutting calories together can actually reverse some signs of aging. The combination dramatically improved mental acuity and motor skills in animal research at Harvard’s Center for Brain Science.It also seems to rejuvenate connections between nerves and muscles, according to the 2010 study, published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.Those results could translate to humans, says Derek M. Huffman, Ph.D., a researcher at the Institute of Aging Research at Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York.“Past studies in people have shown that the combination may be beneficial,” he says.But caloric restriction doesn’t mean starving yourself, Huffman says. Just pick nutrient-dense foods.“Choose foods that make you full but don't pack many calories – like soups, salads, fresh fruits, lean chicken breast, beans, yogurt and low-calorie fiber bars,” he says.

3. Buy your way out of poor eating.

There’s a simple way to psych yourself into buying healthier foods: Pay with cash, not a credit or debit card, according to a 2010 Cornell University study published in the Journal of Consumer Research. Researchers studied 1,000 families’ grocery trips over six months and found that their carts contained more unhealthful foods when they paid with plastic. That’s because cash makes shoppers more sensitive to their purchases, the researchers say.You can also cut back on those impulsive supermarket purchases by carrying a small notebook and jotting down each junk food item you put in your cart, suggests Lifescript nutrition expert Jill Weisenberger, M.S., R.D., C.D.E. Before you check out, make sure only a small percentage of your budget is going toward snacks.

4. Play with your food.

Dozens of new mobile-device apps that aid healthy eating sprang up in 2010 – and a new study shows they really work.In a study conducted by Georgia Tech’s School of Interactive Computing, a healthy-food game was tested by 12 adults for three weeks. They began eating healthier, discussing healthy eating with friends, and making better choices when they ate out. ”Our research shows the promise of using casual mobile games to encourage adults to live healthier lifestyles,” the investigators say.
To find the best game for you, check out 14 Best Fitness Apps for Women.

5. Keep friends close.

Social relationships are so healthful that frequent interactions with friends, family and colleagues decrease your risk of dying by 50% over 7.5 years. That’s the equivalent of a smoker kicking a habit or an alcoholic giving up drinking, according to researchers at Brigham Young University in Salt Lake City who reviewed data from 148 studies.
Closeness counts too, according to psychology professor Julianne Holt-Lunstad, Ph.D., who led the research.“Having close relationships helps us cope with stress, and provides meaning and purpose to our lives,” she says. When you’re connected to a group and feel responsible for others, you’re more motivated to take care of yourself, she adds.

6. Give in to peer pressure.

When your friends have healthy habits, you probably will too, according to a 2010 Australian study of 3,610 women published in the International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity.That’s not just because social support helps you eat better and get more exercise, says Kylie Ball, Ph.D., an associate professor in the School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences at Deakin University in Victoria.“Simply observing or knowing others who engage in these behaviors increases the likelihood of doing so,” she says.

But that doesn’t mean you have to drop your coach-potato friends. Just go social with your health and fitness plan, notes Liz Neporent, coauthor of Fitness For Dummies: 4th Edition (Wiley) and senior vice president of Wellness 360, a New York-based consulting company.
“Join a walking, running or exercise group,” she suggests. “Or find a gym where you interact with others.”
Finding support on Facebook, Twitter and other social-networking sites can also be motivating, she says.

7. Catch more zzz’s.

Are you up past midnight most nights? Staying healthy – and looking young – requires an earlier bedtime.
People who sleep fewer than seven hours per night are more likely to gain excess weight, according to a 2008 study by Laval University in Canada. Plus, those who doze five hours or less don’t live as long, according to a 2010 study of 444 older women conducted by the UC-San Diego School of Medicine.

Still need more incentive to get enough shut-eye? It also makes you look better, according to a 2010 Swedish study published in the British Medical Journal. Women who were photographed after getting eight hours of sleep the previous night were rated as more attractive and healthier-looking than when they only slept five hours.Oversleeping isn’t healthy either, says psychiatrist Daniel F. Kripke, M.D., who headed the San Diego study. He suggests you aim for about 7-8 hours per night.

8. Make exercise an enjoyable habit.

People with a positive view of exercise are more physically active, according to a 2010 study at Penn State University.

Besides enjoying workouts more, they often take the stairs, not the elevator, or walk farther to a store entrance from the parking lot. Such small steps add up to a lot of activity.

“Find a strategy that reduces conscious goal-setting and monitoring,” says David Conroy, Ph.D., associate professor of kinesiology and human development at Penn State University. “If you associate exercise with drudgery, that’s what it will be,” Neporent adds.“But if associating each step with better-fitting clothes, weight loss or feeling better, then you’re on a mission to succeed.”

9. Time your workouts.

Exercising before breakfast is especially beneficial, and could even cancel out damage from less healthy habits, according to a 2010 Belgian study in The Journal of Physiology.

In that study, young men ate a high-calorie diet of 50% fat, along with a hefty, carb-rich breakfast. Some exercised intensely four times a week before breakfast, and the rest worked out at the same level after breakfast (and drank sports drinks throughout).

At the end of six weeks, those who ate breakfast before exercising had gained weight and developed symptoms of insulin resistance. But the pre-breakfast exercisers were fine.

Exercising on an empty stomach causes the body to burn a greater percentage of fat and increases levels of a muscle protein that helps transport blood sugar, the researchers note. Of course, the best time to work out is when you’ll actually do it, Neporent says.
“If it doesn’t feel good to exercise before eating, then don’t force yourself,” she advises.

10. Turn off the tube.

Watching too much TV doesn’t just kill brain cells – it could actually kill you, according to 2010 Australian research published in Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association.

In a study of 8,800 adults, those who watched TV four hours or more per day had an 80% higher risk of cardiovascular disease, and a 46% higher risk of death, than those who watched two hours or less.

That’s because “sedentary behavior changes your metabolism – you go into ‘energy storage’ mode,” says cardiologist Donald Lloyd-Jones, M.D., chair of preventive medicine at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago.

The less you sit, the better, Lloyd-Jones notes. At the very least, get up during commercials (but don’t head to the kitchen for unhealthy snacks). Or take 5- or 10-minute exercise breaks.
“The mantra is, if you’re doing nothing, do a little,” he says. “And if you’re doing a little, do more.”

11. Stay healthy for good.

Regular physical activity, following a healthy diet and not smoking reduce the risk of developing more than 20 conditions – including cancer, heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, dementia and depression – according to a 2010 review of 40 studies by University of East Anglia in England.

And a 20-year study Lloyd-Jones conducted at Northwestern found that those who follow the top five healthy habits (not smoking, little or no alcohol intake, controlling weight, getting physical activity and eating a healthy diet) maintain a low risk of cardiovascular disease as they enter middle age.

“Healthy behaviors can trump genetics,” Lloyd-Jones says. “The earlier you start making healthy choices, the more likely you are to maintain a low-risk profile.”

Are You Eating As Healthy As You Think?

Many people claim to eat healthy when they're actually doing their body a disservice with the food they consume. Take this quiz to find out if you're eating as healthy as you think.

Check out Health Bistro for more healthy food for thought. See what Lifescript editors are talking about and get the skinny on latest news. Share it with your friends (it’s free to sign up!), and bookmark it so you don’t miss a single juicy post!

AMC's Crazy About The Duke

With his signature swagger and old school attitude, John Wayne epitomized Western machismo. His onscreen actions could serve as a user's guide for aspiring cowboys: Never let up, never back down, be honest, be fair, and fight for what's right. That much-mimicked drawl was never the main reason people were so crazy about him.

1. The Searchers (1956)

Every star needs a role that spotlights his dark side, and The Searchers did exactly that for The Duke. In this brilliant psychological portrait, Wayne took the standard Western hero (self-reliant, unyielding) and turned his positive qualities into something pathological. Wayne -- on a mission to find his kidnapped niece -- is not pleased to find the girl has gone native. Indeed, he now wants to kill her! This is Wayne at his most mesmerizing.

2. True Grit (1969)

He's drunk half the time and wears an eye patch, but that doesn't slow down crack shot Rooster Cogburn. The Duke's turn as the mercurial bounty hunter is a late-career high point, earning him his only Oscar. Here's a chance to see Wayne poking fun at his own tough-guy persona and to watch as he passes on the Western torch to then-newcomer Robert Duvall.

3. Rio Bravo (1959)

This fast-paced Western is as tight as a drum and explosive as a powder keg. The classic flick features the holy trinity of Dean Martin, Ricky Nelson, and Wayne as a ragtag group of lawmen trying to defend a town from outlaws. Aside from its star power, Rio Bravo distinguishes itself with comic relief in the form of Stumpy -- an old coot who enjoys throwing a little dynamite when the occasion calls. Howard Hawks directed Rio Bravo, and liked it so much he remade it twice (El Dorado, Rio Lobo). Both times Wayne returned for the party.

4. Stagecoach (1939)

Love must be shown to Wayne's star-making role: the misunderstood Ringo Kid whose picked up by a covered wagon filled with whores, Holy Rollers, pregnant women, and gamblers trucking through Apache territory. Stagecoach has everything people have come to expect from a Western. And no wonder: With its old-fashioned storytelling under the direction of John Ford, the movie helped make the genre legitimate.

5. Red River (1948)

Generational conflict has rarely been as raw as the battle waged here between Wayne and Montgomery Clift. The pair are very different actors: Clift is quiet and sensitive; Wayne is brusque and direct. That polarity led to explosive chemistry as their characters work out their differences -- not to mention their Oedipal conflicts -- while driving a huge run of cattle across the frontier. This ain't no City Slickers! As tensions simmer and Indians attack, Wayne delivers an anguished performance to rival any method actor.

Honorable Mentions

1. The Shootist (1976): The parallels to Wayne's own life are hard to ignore in this, his last onscreen performance, as the Duke plays a dying gunfighter who goes out with both guns blazing -- literally.

2. Fort Apache (1948): The first film in John Ford's Cavalry trilogy, it remains the best of the lot thanks to Henry Fonda and Wayne battling it out as two officers with very different styles.

3. McLintock! (1963): This light comedy has Wayne pitched in the most fearsome conflict of all: the battle of the sexes. His opponent? None other than frequent collaborator (and friend) Maureen O'Hara.

4. She Wore a Yellow Ribbon (1949): When people say "Send in the cavalry," they might as well be referring to Wayne's fearsome officer, who, despite advanced age, hasn't lost a bit of his nerve in this quiet, elegiac film.

5. The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance (1962): This swan song to the Western wouldn't be complete without Wayne's sturdy presence anchoring the movie as a rancher who leaves his own indelible mark on history.

GOT TO GET YOU OUT OF MY LIFE!

Paul McCartney after paying Heather Mills McCartney almost $50 million in devorce agreement.

BEST BURGERS

Best Burgers



Burger Spot
They'll make your Harris Ranch Angus beef burger as rare or well-done as you'd like at this 5-month-old eco-friendly place in Lake Highlands. Order at the counter and they'll bring the burgers, wrapped in red-and-white-checked paper, to the table. The Classic Burger is a well-proportioned, well-seasoned, juicy one-third-pound burger on a soft bun with lettuce, tomato, mustard or mayo, pickles and onion. The half-pound Wild Bill Burger, with onions, jalapeños and tomatoes in the patty and cheddar melted on top, is the way to go if you want to spice things up. Don't miss the zingy fresh lemonade.

9090 Skillman St. at Audelia Road, Dallas. 214-221-9206.



Chip's Old Fashioned Burgers
This 28-year-old favorite offers an excellent rendition of a good old-fashioned burger. You can order the one-third-pound patty cooked the way you like, but they'll likely just chargrill it as they wish. No matter; even if your medium-rare turns out medium-well, it's juicy and good, served on a soft poppy-seed bun with a couple of lettuce leaves, slices of ripe tomato, pickles, onions, mayo and mustard. It's the kind of place that might put you in the mood for a chocolate malt. There are also beer and wine, sandwiches and Tex-Mex dishes.

4530 Lovers Lane at the Dallas North Tollway, Dallas. 214-691-2447. www.chips-burgers.com.



Farnatchi Gourmet Oven
My favorite thing at this charming little Middle Eastern-slash-pizza place is its unusual hamburger. The highly seasoned patty has chopped onions and peppers blended into the meat, and a slice of mozzarella buried in it that melts gooily as the burger's grilled. Served on a good kaiser roll spread with a harissa-flavored mayonnaise, it's loaded with lots of arugula and ripe sliced tomatoes. The burger comes with lentil soup, salad or roasted rosemary potatoes. Bring your own wine; it'll go well with this one.

3001 Knox St. at Central Expressway, Dallas. 214-219-7200. www.farnatchi.com.



Fred's Texas Cafe
In a funky place with a honky-tonk feel and a party-down patio with live music, you can get what may be the lustiest sandwich around: the Diablo burger. Super juicy, wickedly spicy, it features a thick, half-pound patty roughly formed from good meat smothered with grilled onions, a whole chipotle chile in adobo, melted Swiss cheese, lettuce, tomato, mustard and pickles. It comes with excellent hand-cut fries; Texas beers are on tap. For the fainter of palate, there's also the chipotle-free Fred burger.

915 Currie St., Fort Worth. 817-332-0083. www.fredstexascafe.com.



Maple and Motor
Jack Perkins' self-proclaimed "grease-stained tribute to low-class cool" was an instant cult hit when it opened last fall, and for good reason: Maple and Motor's burgers rock. They won't cook it to your desired temperature, but the rich patty, made from a blend of brisket and chuck, formed loosely in a ball and gently flattened on a vintage flat-top grill, has splendid flavor. It gets dressed up with traditional Texas fixings: red onions, dill pickle relish, mustard, tomato and shredded lettuce. Wash it down with a Shiner on tap or a "Jolly Rancher" iced tea. Arrive early, or prepare to wait. The place is wildly popular.

4810 Maple Ave., Dallas. 214-522-4400. www.mapleandmotor.com.



Neighborhood Services Tavern
The "cleaver and block" burger at Nick Badovinus' 4-month-old opened in March Henderson Avenue gastropub is quite simply outstanding. It's a cheffy burger, but not the overdone, froufrou kind. Instead, serious attention is paid to the meat; here it's a blend of chuck and brisket. But it's not just the patty; it's the whole package that tempts. It comes on a sesame bun dressed up with two kinds of aged cheddar, horseradish-spiked pickles and lots of caramelized onions in all the right proportions.

2405 N. Henderson Ave., Dallas. 214-827-2405.



Square Burger
On the square in McKinney, in a lovely, lofty 1929 building that was once a dry-goods store, a chef who got his chops as a sous-chef at Spago Beverly Hills is flipping some terrific burgers. Six-week-old Square Burger is a real restaurant, though the menu consists mostly of burgers, salads and sides; there's table service and a long, sleek bar that offers 30 well-chosen beers on tap (mostly North American). That burger, which is round, not square, comes on an ideal bun (a grilled Empire Bakery brioche number) with a thick pad of iceberg lettuce, a slice of tomato and circles of red onion. But this burger is all about the beef, which Genesis Beef raises locally. It's grass-fed, antibiotic- and hormone-free and dry-aged 14 to 20 days before Genesis custom-grinds it for chef Craig Brundege. He likes to cook the thick patties to at least medium, but the kitchen agreed to my medium-rare request; the burger was juicy and perfect – like the backyard burger that dreams are made of.

115 N. Kentucky St., McKinney. 972-542-0185.



12 Burgers
The atmosphere leaves a little to be desired at this gloomy fast-food spot in Far North Dallas, named for the 12 toppings on its signature burger, but the eats are excellent. The "classic" is a felicitous arrangement of a half-pound Angus patty, lettuce, tomato and Thousand Island dressing on a toasted sesame-seed bun; pickles and onions are optional (yes, you want them). Or go for the giant, sloppy 12 Burger with bacon, American cheese, sautéed onions, avocado, mushrooms, bell peppers, pickles, jalapeños, lettuce, tomato, Thousand Island and mustard.

6006 Belt Line Road, Dallas. 972-239-4194.





Wingfield's Breakfast and Burger
Last but certainly not least is Oak Cliff's monumentally juicy behemoth on a bun. It may be gigantic, but the ratios are correct: exactly the right amount of squishy bun, ripe tomato slice and lettuce to big, meaty, well-seasoned patty. The lively dose of mayo, mustard and pickles makes it quite the event. Call ahead to order and pick up, or prepare to wait. It's takeout only, so you'll have to take the booty elsewhere – ideally nearby – to dig in.

2615 S. Beckley Ave., Dallas. 214-943-5214.

Best in DFW: Burgers 2008:


Here's the list of Best Burgers in DFW as compiled by The Dallas Morning News critics in 2008.



•Angry Dog


•Fred's Texas Cafe


•Kelly's Eastside


•Love Shack


•Perry's


•Snuffer's


•Twisted Root Burger Co.


•Wingfield's Breakfast and Burger

WORDS OF WISDOM FROM THE DUKE

Actor. Patriot. Philosopher. John Wayne didn't just know his way around a six-shooter. He was deadly with his words, too, tossing off bons mots like grenades. While not exactly an American Confucius, Wayne's nothing if not quotable and a discerning listener could live his life guided by The Duke's words of wisdom.  Without further ado, here's the best of the proverbial John Wayne.

1. "Don't apologize; it's a sign of weakness." -- She Wore a Yellow Ribbon


Rarely was the Duke's guiding ethos of manliness, self-reliance, and bravado distilled into a more perfect package than in his response to the apologies of a woman responsible for a massacre in this classic 1949 Western. Despite his aforementioned secret vulnerability, at the end of the day this is what Wayne was: stubborn, strong, and unapologetic. What's done is done. Second-guessing is for cowards, not cowboys.



2. "There's right and there's wrong. You got to do one or the other. You do the one and you're living. You do the other and you may be walking around but you're dead as a beaver hat." --The Alamo


If nothing else, The Alamo is about drawing a line in the sand by deciding which side you're on. On and off screen, Wayne saw things in black and white. Here, as Davy Crockett, he stands for democracy and sticking to your principles. A man who values security over morality is a traitor to his self. Tough tonic perhaps but also truly American.



3. "Sorry, don't get it done, Dude." -- Rio Bravo


Wayne was -- in the jargon of contemporary economics -- a results-oriented worker. Which is to say that he gets the job done. End of story. Nothing stands in his way, not even, in Rio Bravo, a gang of outlaws who have him outnumbered and outgunned. By hook or by crook, he'll do what needs doing, as he reminds drunk deputy Dude (Dean Martin) in this quotation. Even with the odds stacked against you, failure isn't an option. Well put.



4. "I never shot nobody I didn't have to." -- True Grit


In a perfect world, a gun would never be necessary but Wayne, like Arnold Schwarzenegger , knows that some problems require drastic measures. As Rooster Cogburn, Wayne has seen his share of bloodshed. That's part of his job. But even at his most brutal, Wayne also recognizes the fine line between a man and a murderer.



5. "All battles are fought by scared men who'd rather be some place else." -- In Harm's Way


The Duke is vulnerable and sensitive on occassion. That's what makes him a star. Which isn't to say that emotions ever overwhelm him or determine his fate. That soldiers get scared isn't surprising. That they still go into battle is what makes them brave.



6. Pat Wheeler: "A game-legged old man and a drunk. That's all you got?" John Wayne: "That's what I've got." -- Rio Bravo


This line is really Wayne's way of saying, "If you've got lemons, make lemonade." He sees people as his supreme resource, and he's not about to let some scoundrel put him down because one of his cohorts happens to be a drunkards. That snappy retort by the Duke is so notable that Dissent magazine did an entire article around on how it related to Wayne's vision of democracy. (For real!)



7. "Out here, due process is a bullet." -- The Green Berets


Doing right sometimes means ignoring nettlesome bureaucracy. This is one of Wayne's most infamous quotations, and it comes from one of his most misguided, reviled films, The Green Berets. The movie is a misguided call to stay the course in Vietnam, and the line brings to mind the troubling vigilantism that's central to the way Wayne and his characters see the world.



8. "There's some things a man just can't run away from." -- Stagecoach


The Duke's characters are always being pursued -- by troubled pasts and, ultimately, by death. That also goes for Wayne's own life. For decades, cancer pursued him. He beat it once, but, ultimately, the disease came back to defeat him. But he fought back against it until he couldn't fight anymore, just like Ringo Kid in Stagecoach. Wayne is about facing things with both eyes wide open and both guns blazing.



9. "We brought nothing into this world, and it's certain we can carry nothing out." --Red River


The Duke always strips life down to its essentials. In Red River, the iconic actor plays a cattle driver making due on the frontier. A true spartan individualist, Wayne's character see his life as enriched by the certainty of death. Indeed, the above statement would sit well with such esteemed existentialists as Jean-Paul Sartre and Albert Camus. Sometimes, the sentiment doesn't seem as harsh when said with a drawl.



10. "I won't be wronged. I won't be insulted. I won't be laid a hand on. I don't do these things to other people, and I require the same from them." -- The Shootist


That's the Wayne philosophy in a nutshell, and it's fitting that it comes in his last movie. Why was he like this? Was it a result of childhood beat downs after being named "Marion"? Who knows and, more importantly, who cares? In his final role, he's, appropriately, a dying gunslinger, a man at the end of his tether who still hangs onto his principles. Say what you will about the Duke and his philosophy, but he stuck by it till the end.

10 Ways to Get to the Gym Regularly

10 Ways to Get to the Gym Regularly



Here, 10 ways to ensure you get to the gym, despite life's everyday obstacles.


Many of us begin exercise programs with the intentions of making fitness a habit. Unfortunately, hitting the gym after a long, hard day can quickly become our biggest obstacle.






Here 10 ways to get you in the door:






Pencil a gym trip on your calendar like you would other can't-miss events. This way, you're emphasizing the priority of fitness in your crowded life by consciously making time to exercise.


Set realistic goals to keep discouragement at bay. Is it realistic to become a marathon runner? Focus on what you want to get out of your exercise routine.


Know what you're going to do once you get to the gym. Plan ahead so that you know exactly what the trip to the gym will entail. Perhaps it's an hour of strength training or an intense spin class. Make a plan, and stick to it.


Have a backup plan. Something may happen that will keep you from going to the gym, but you can still work out at home with weights or cardio activities.


Gain support from your family. Let them know it's all about your health. Buddy up with a friend as a way to keep you motivated.


Record your favorite upbeat, motivating tunes so you can listen to them while exercising. Leave out all the sad, slow songs about lost loves. What you need are tunes to keep you going.


Start with your least favorite exercises at the beginning of your workout. You can look forward to your favorites at the end.


Remember the other reasons why you're working out, other than just toning up. You'll help reduce your risks for heart attack, stroke, and other cardiovascular conditions; build strong bones; lower your cholesterol; have more energy; feel proud of yourself.


Get assistance from the trained staff at your fitness center- or hire a personal trainer. They can help you use proper procedures to avoid injuries and frustration, and tailor a fitness program for you. Besides the bucks you're paying, the trainer will motivate you to get to the gym.


Reward yourself when you reach a goal. Treat yourself to that new dress you've admired in the window of a department store, or that massage you've always wanted.


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Report says health care will cover more, cost more

Report says health care will cover more, cost more



Apr 23 04:01 AM US/Eastern


By RICARDO ALONSO-ZALDIVAR


Associated Press Writer


WASHINGTON (AP) - President Barack Obama's health care overhaul law is getting a mixed verdict in the first comprehensive look by neutral experts: More Americans will be covered, but costs are also going up.


Economic experts at the Health and Human Services Department concluded in a report issued Thursday that the health care remake will achieve Obama's aim of expanding health insurance—adding 34 million to the coverage rolls.


But the analysis also found that the law falls short of the president's twin goal of controlling runaway costs, raising projected spending by about 1 percent over 10 years. That increase could get bigger, since Medicare cuts in the law may be unrealistic and unsustainable, the report warned.

It's a worrisome assessment for Democrats.

In particular, concerns about Medicare could become a major political liability in the midterm elections. The report projected that Medicare cuts could drive about 15 percent of hospitals and other institutional providers into the red, "possibly jeopardizing access" to care for seniors.


The report from Medicare's Office of the Actuary carried a disclaimer saying it does not represent the official position of the Obama administration. White House officials have repeatedly complained that such analyses have been too pessimistic and lowball the law's potential to achieve savings.


The report acknowledged that some of the cost-control measures in the bill—Medicare cuts, a tax on high-cost insurance and a commission to seek ongoing Medicare savings—could help reduce the rate of cost increases beyond 2020. But it held out little hope for progress in the first decade.


"During 2010-2019, however, these effects would be outweighed by the increased costs associated with the expansions of health insurance coverage," wrote Richard S. Foster, Medicare's chief actuary. "Also, the longer-term viability of the Medicare ... reductions is doubtful." Foster's office is responsible for long-range costs estimates.

Republicans said the findings validate their concerns about Obama's 10-year, nearly $1 trillion plan to remake the nation's health care system.

"A trillion dollars gets spent, and it's no surprise—health care costs are going to go up," said Rep. Dave Camp, R-Mich., a leading Republican on health care issues. Camp added that he's concerned the Medicare cuts will undermine care for seniors.

In a statement, HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius sought to highlight some positive findings for seniors. For example, the report concluded that Medicare monthly premiums would be lower than otherwise expected, due to the spending reductions.

"The Affordable Care Act will improve the health care system for all Americans, and we will continue our work to quickly and carefully implement the new law," the statement said.

Passed by a divided Congress after a year of bitter partisan debate, the law would create new health insurance markets for individuals and small businesses. Starting in 2014, most Americans would be required to carry health insurance except in cases of financial hardship. Tax credits would help many middle-class households pay their premiums, while Medicaid would pick up more low-income people. Insurers would be required to accept all applicants, regardless of their health.


The U.S. spends $2.5 trillion a year on health care, far more per person than any other developed nation, and for results that aren't clearly better when compared to more frugal countries. At the outset of the health care debate last year, Obama held out the hope that by bending the cost curve down, the U.S. could cover all its citizens for about what the nation would spend absent any changes.

The report found that the president's law missed the mark, although not by much. The overhaul will increase national health care spending by $311 billion from 2010-2019, or nine-tenths of 1 percent. To put that in perspective, total health care spending during the decade is estimated to surpass $35 trillion.

Administration officials argue the increase is a bargain price for guaranteeing coverage to 95 percent of Americans. They also point out that the law will decrease the federal deficit by $143 billion over the 10-year period.


The report's most sober assessments concerned Medicare.

In addition to flagging provider cuts as potentially unsustainable, the report projected that reductions in payments to private Medicare Advantage plans would trigger an exodus from the popular alternative. Enrollment would plummet by about 50 percent. Seniors leaving the private plans would still have health insurance under traditional Medicare, but many might face higher out-of-pocket costs.


In another flashing yellow light, the report warned that a new voluntary long-term care insurance program created under the law faces "a very serious risk" of insolvency.

Copyright 2010 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.