Medicare monthly premiums increase

The typical Medicare beneficiary can expect to see about a $3 increase in their monthly premiums for prescription drug coverage in 2009, federal officials said Thursday.

Officials made the projection based on bids from private insurers that get the premiums along with a federal subsidy to administer the benefit. The increase of 12 percent will up the monthly premium to $28 for standard drug coverage.

Medicare officials cited several factors in the increase. Primarily, people are using more prescriptions, plus the costs of many of those drugs are going up.

Despite the increase, Medicare officials said the monthly premiums are still well below what was projected when the program was approved in 2003.

East Chicago, Ind.

Boy rescued from runaway boat

A couple watched helplessly as their 4-year-old son was trapped alone on a runaway boat as it spun in circles on Lake Michigan for nearly 45 minutes.

Police and Coast Guard officers eventually rescued Dylan Tonks from the boat Tuesday after his parents were tossed overboard and the boat started going in circles near the East Chicago marina.

The wake from a larger boat apparently knocked the adults overboard, and they were rescued by a passing boat, Gary Marine Unit Patrolman Phillip Cook said.