Gee, THANKS, Guv’ment!
By Four Walls
@FourWalls (68884)
United States
December 17, 2024 10:49am CST
Dad-gum guv’ment, as Roger Miller put it in the song in Big River. Here I am, bragging about losing 60 pounds, putting some great numbers on the health monitor on my watch, and all that….
Then they send me my Medicare card.
Gee, THANKS, guv’ment! 
That’s NOT the kind of “birthday card” I want. 
I’m still debating whether to get part B. I have healthcare through my post office retirement, plus the VA. And you know the guv’ment and their red tape (I can tell you about that from my emergency room visit in Illinois in August…took ‘em five months to pay things! 
). I’d really rather keep my healthcare.
There are pros and cons to all of them. Thankfully, because they DID send it four months early, I have time to weigh the options and make the decision.
I just really didn’t need the reminder that I’m almost 65….
IMAGE: Shutterstock.
Here’s Little Feat’s song “Old Folks Boogie,” with the great line, “You know that you’re over the hill when your mind makes a promise your body can’t fill.” 
That’s NOT the kind of “birthday card” I want.
I’m still debating whether to get part B. I have healthcare through my post office retirement, plus the VA. And you know the guv’ment and their red tape (I can tell you about that from my emergency room visit in Illinois in August…took ‘em five months to pay things! ). I’d really rather keep my healthcare.
There are pros and cons to all of them. Thankfully, because they DID send it four months early, I have time to weigh the options and make the decision.
I just really didn’t need the reminder that I’m almost 65….
IMAGE: Shutterstock.
Here’s Little Feat’s song “Old Folks Boogie,” with the great line, “You know that you’re over the hill when your mind makes a promise your body can’t fill.” Your browser isn’t supported anymore. Update it to get the best YouTube experience and our latest features. Learn moreRemind me later
15 people like this
13 responses
@FourWalls (68884)
• United States
20h
As long as your credit doesn’t slip to an all-time low!
3 people like this
@TheHorse (220068)
• Walnut Creek, California
18h
@FourWalls Maybe if I change my iifestyle. But I am about to be a fat man in the bathtub. Well, shower.
2 people like this
@FourWalls (68884)
• United States
17h
@TheHorse — get you a Dixie Chicken or a Tennessee Lamb.
1 person likes this
@kareng (61152)
• United States
14h
@FourWalls We have to get my husband's done. Went to social security office in November and she said it was too early. They tell you 3 months before you turn 65. His birthday is in December so gotta get it done!
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (68884)
• United States
17h
I have three options, all of them from the government in one way or another. I’m screwed.
1 person likes this
@BarBaraPrz (47615)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
13h
I have to keep reminding myself that I'm NOT 65 anymore and therefore not physically able to do a lot of things I used to be able to do.
Hang on to your private healthcare if you can, because your government wants to get rid of their plan (and pretty much anything else normal people rely on).
1 person likes this
@Tampa_girl7 (50580)
• United States
20h
It’s good that you have time to make your decision.
2 people like this
@FourWalls (68884)
• United States
20h
The worst thing, and what’s in the back of my mind, is the guv’ment, being the guv’ment, can change the rules any time they want. RIGHT NOW I do not “have” to get Medicare B; however, in 5-10 years they might change that for postal retirees (they changed our healthcare this year, for instance). Medicare charges a penalty for not taking it when you’re first eligible.
1 person likes this
@aureategloom (11090)
• Bosnia And Herzegovina
20h
i'm so lost in this post hahah healthcare is one thing that is good (relatively) and simple in Bosnia. public health is free and everyone has it, but the queues can be long for certain treatments and that's why some people do these treatments in private clinics and pay for it, of course.
good luck with whatever needs to be done, because:
Your browser isn’t supported anymore. Update it to get the best YouTube experience and our latest features. Learn moreRemind me later
2 people like this
@FourWalls (68884)
• United States
20h
I’m right with you, I don’t understand it…and I live here!!! 1 person likes this
@much2say (55901)
• Los Angeles, California
15h
Geez. I really need to study this stuff better . . . and even then I know things can change. I suppose there is red tape with everything . . . hard to tell which options are truly for the best. I hate having to deal with any insurance, have I ever mentioned that ?
?1 person likes this
@FourWalls (68884)
• United States
11h
I hate dealing with things, too. One reason I love my current insurance is that I really don’t have to deal with anyone.
@kaylachan (71519)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
20h
I've been thinking about it. I have medicare and it's been fine for what I need. George only has the VA, but with their red tape and inability to travel, he's not really benifiting from it as much as he could.
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (68884)
• United States
17h
Did you know the VA has travel reimbursement?
1 person likes this
@kaylachan (71519)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
17h
@FourWalls If you qulify for it. Which we tried. Plus, there's the obvious issue that George is not a pet. I can't just cram him in a car against his will and go where the VA wants us to.
1 person likes this
@RasmaSandra (80635)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
14h
I have Medicare but only Part A I know I cannot afford anything else so not point in considering all options, I anything happens the way things are going in the US they can just shoot me,
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (68884)
• United States
11h
Not only in Australia, it’s everywhere. The estimate I found online says health insurance fraud in America is about $105 billion a year. That’s insane.
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (181321)
• United States
3h
That line is so true. Still waiting to hear from the VA. Have a good day.
@Dreamerby (5756)
• Calcutta, India
5h
Great news. 65 is a wonderful age. Every age has its own beauty.
