Consideration

I'm an 84-year-old man on Social Security with original Medicare and Mutual of Omaha gap insurance. My insurance premium was raised from $262 to $363 a month, a 39% jump. After all my monthly expenses, I have just $240 left. What can I do in the event of another increase in my premiums? If you've had your current Medicare supplement plan for years, it's not surprising that you've seen your costs steadily rise, says Steve Zaleznick, senior Medicare advisor at PlanPrescriber, a Maynard, Mass.-based online provider of Medicare education and plan comparison tools.

Staff writer Tim Hubbard looks at two first basemen who have been surprising through the season's first quarter, and another who is off to a dreadful start. ON THE UPSWING Mark Reynolds, Cleveland Despite averaging more than 27 home runs per season, Reynolds is known for his ability to not hit the ball. After all, he did strike out more than 200 times three times. But in the last three years, it has been Reynolds' batting average that has kept fantasy owners at arm's length.

House Republican leaders pledged swift action Friday on President Obama's jobs plan, the latest sign of a thaw in relations between the two parties, though hardly a guarantee his initiatives would be received favorably. A letter to the president signed by the top four House Republicans said the chamber "will immediately begin the process of reviewing and considering" Obama's plans. "We believe creating long-term, sustainable jobs must be the top priority for elected leaders of both parties, and it is our desire to work with you to find common ground on steps that can be taken to allow our economy to grow and to create those jobs," the leaders wrote.

Since Mike Trout returned to center field, he has resembled the dominant offensive force he was last year. However, when center fielder Peter Bourjos returns from the disabled list, the Angels plan to return Trout to left field. Trout began play Monday batting .354 in 12 games since Bourjos' injury, with four home runs, 13 runs batted in, and nine runs. In his first 25 games this season, Trout batted .252, with 12 RBIs and 14 runs. "Whether Mike plays center or left, it's not connected with his offensive performance," Manager Mike Scioscia said.

Hulu Chief Executive Jason Kilar has withdrawn from consideration as a candidate for the top job at Yahoo. Hulu issued a statement Friday morning indicating Kilar no longer wishes to be considered for the chief executive's job at Yahoo. News that he was among the top candidates surfaced Thursday. “As has been reported, Jason Kilar has been a focus of the Yahoo CEO search committee," a Hulu spokeswoman said. "He has graciously declined to be considered.” Yahoo's Interim Chief Executive Ross Levinsohn, a seasoned media veteran, is now believed to be a leading contender to take over the helm of the struggling Internet giant.

Regardless of any other consideration, we are going to get Rose Bird. ROBERT CURLENDER Pasadena

Has Orange County given some consideration to accepting private donations as a solution to its financial woes? TOBI STEIN Encino

Roman Catholic Archbishop Raymond Hunthausen says he is halting training of men as permanent deacons to dramatize his concern that women's role be given more consideration in the church.

Real-life decisions require consideration of trade-offs, consideration of "net benefits." The Ahmanson project provides important and extremely unusual net benefits to the county and deserves your support. None of us in our daily lives make decisions based only upon consideration of negative attributes. Traveling to the food store causes pollution and risks traffic accidents. But it allows purchase of food. Going to work means that we leave our children and diminishes the influence and guidance that we could otherwise provide.

The story "424 Fail Drug Exams in Mexican Law Enforcement" (March 19) makes me wonder how many in the U.S. Congress could pass. Can anyone believe that laundered drug money doesn't swell the campaign coffers of those who oppose consideration of any change in drug laws? MERRILL SMITH Claremont

Like the NHL season, the annual deadline-day trading frenzy was late in starting. But a flurry of deals in the hour before Wednesday's noon Pacific time cutoff changed the complexion of several teams and added depth to others hoping for long playoff runs. The Ducks, seeking strength up the middle, acquired veteran center Matthew Lombardi from the Phoenix Coyotes for left wing Brandon McMillan. They also traded goalie Jeff Deslauriers to the Minnesota Wild for future considerations.

With President Obama's visit to Israel and the occupied territories now behind us, attention is likely to turn to how we might restart the peace process. But if the past is any indication, one crucial element will be largely ignored in the discussion: Palestinian politics. In contrast to the almost limitless deference shown to the pressures of Israeli domestic politics (as when Obama abandoned calls for a settlement freeze in 2010 because of the composition of Israel's governing coalition)

A bill recently introduced in the California Assembly, AB 996, would substantially change the operations and governance of the state's certified farmers markets, strengthening some enforcement provisions and weakening others. The bill would renew authorization for the state's role in the program, including penalties for cheaters, which are now scheduled to expire at the end of 2013. Its provisions, which will likely be modified in coming months, currently include: • Raising the fee paid by market operators to fund the state program presently 60 cents per market day for each certified produce vendor.

the great unknown -- approaches quickly. UCLA's basketball coach has a contract that runs through 2015 but has received no indication from his bosses about what his team must accomplish for him to stay on the job. Is reaching a regional enough? To get to the Sweet 16, the Bruins would have to beat Minnesota on Friday in Austin, Texas, and then probably an old nemesis, 14th-ranked Florida, on Sunday. There's also a chance that job security lies even further down the road to the Final Four.

WASHINGTON - More than a decade after the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, the Transportation Security Administration is reassessing airline safety with an eye toward identifying the most likely threats. On Thursday, TSA Administrator John Pistole made his first appearance before Congress since last week's announcement that small knives, golf clubs, hockey sticks and assorted other items were no longer prohibited. "These are not things that terrorists are intending to use," Pistole told a House Homeland Security subcommittee.

WASHINGTON - A decision by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission to consider a new rule this year requiring companies to release information about their political spending has buoyed disclosure advocates, who say such a move could be a game-changer in their quest for more transparency. If approved by the SEC, the regulation could require all publicly traded corporations to detail how much money they give for political activities, including to tax-exempt advocacy groups and trade associations such as the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

Regarding Malamud's observation that the cost of a box seat for 45 Dodger games is about the same as a front-row seat for a single Laker game: In consideration of return on investment, it's probably a push. DENNIS W. BATT, Westlake Village

TRW Inc. has leased 18,650 square feet of space in the 10-story 505 Building in Orange. The 10-year lease has a consideration of $4.25 million and was negotiated by Tishman West Management Corp.

SACRAMENTO - From my skimpy research on New Year's resolutions, I've learned that 40% of us make them, and about 90% end in failure. A dismal record of weak will. Yet, New Year's resolutions should be encouraged because they're vital to self-improvement. They reflect at least a brief recognition of personal flaws and the need for betterment. Therefore I'm proposing a few, mainly for Sacramento politicians. Never mind that I've tried this in previous years and mostly been ignored.

WASHINGTON - President Obama's consideration of Chuck Hagel to be Defense secretary has set off an outcry of criticism that could force a second damaging White House retreat over a Cabinet pick. Even as Obama was nominating Sen. John F. Kerry (D-Mass.) as secretary of State on Friday, the possible selection of Hagel, a Republican who served two terms as a U.S. senator from Nebraska, drew intensifying crossfire from influential pro-Israel groups, Iran hawks and the gay rights lobby.