Gee, THANKS, Guv’ment!
By Four Walls
@FourWalls (86713)
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
18 people like this
15 responses
@FourWalls (86713)
• United States
17 Dec 24
As long as your credit doesn’t slip to an all-time low!
3 people like this
@TheHorse (238317)
• Walnut Creek, California
17 Dec 24
@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 (86713)
• United States
17 Dec 24
@TheHorse — get you a Dixie Chicken or a Tennessee Lamb.
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (86713)
• United States
17 Dec 24
(Turning up hearing aid) Whatcha say?!??
2 people like this
@Tampa_girl7 (54715)
• United States
17 Dec 24
It’s good that you have time to make your decision.
2 people like this
@FourWalls (86713)
• United States
17 Dec 24
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
@LindaOHio (222417)
• United States
18 Dec 24
That line is so true. Still waiting to hear from the VA. Have a good day.
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (86713)
• United States
18 Dec 24
I wish I could light a fire under their butts for you. 
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (59230)
•
18 Dec 24
@FourWalls
I know where we can get some really loud Chinese fireworks, if you want to light that fire!
1 person likes this
@aureategloom (11025)
• Bosnia And Herzegovina
17 Dec 24
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 (86713)
• United States
17 Dec 24
I’m right with you, I don’t understand it…and I live here!!! 1 person likes this
@2ndchances24 (12206)
• Cloverdale, Indiana
19 Dec 24
I know I'm old when I know what a 90 yr old feels like.
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (86713)
• United States
19 Dec 24
Yep. The younger people who feel old are usually told by the older people, “Just wait until you get (insert age here).”
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (86713)
• United States
19 Dec 24
@2ndchances24 — that’s what I told my doctor today: when someone loses 60 pounds in three months instead of three years there’s something wrong. Just saw a friend on Facebook talking about the weight he’s lost since being in the hospital. I pray you’re feeling better.
1 person likes this
@2ndchances24 (12206)
• Cloverdale, Indiana
19 Dec 24
@FourWalls I don't have to be told I felt it
right after I got out of the hosp after being
in there for 6 mons & lost 60 lbs. from it.
1 person likes this
@kareng (80243)
• United States
17 Dec 24
@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 (86713)
• United States
17 Dec 24
I have three options, all of them from the government in one way or another. I’m screwed.
1 person likes this
@BarBaraPrz (51819)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
17 Dec 24
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
@BarBaraPrz (51819)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
18 Dec 24
@FourWalls Oh, yeah, sorry.
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (86713)
• United States
18 Dec 24
Oh you noticed about our government? 
1 person likes this
@snowy22315 (208952)
• United States
18 Dec 24
Join the club! The one almost no one wants to be in. However, I heard something about aging that made me think differently about it. Don't feel bad about being older, it is a privilege denied to many.
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (86713)
• United States
18 Dec 24
I’m thankful. I’m older than either of my maternal uncles lived to see. And, thank God, I am in relatively good health. I take fewer pills a day than some people have to take an HOUR.
1 person likes this
@much2say (57760)
• Los Angeles, California
17 Dec 24
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
@much2say (57760)
• Los Angeles, California
20 Dec 24
@FourWalls Even better - with how customer service/support is these days . . .
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (86713)
• United States
18 Dec 24
I hate dealing with things, too. One reason I love my current insurance is that I really don’t have to deal with anyone.
1 person likes this
@kaylachan (84801)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
17 Dec 24
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 (86713)
• United States
17 Dec 24
Did you know the VA has travel reimbursement?
1 person likes this
@kaylachan (84801)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
17 Dec 24
@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 (98033)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
17 Dec 24
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 (86713)
• United States
18 Dec 24
I’m thankful that I have insurance through my retirement.
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (86713)
• United States
18 Dec 24
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
@Dreamerby (10111)
• Calcutta, India
18 Dec 24
Great news. 65 is a wonderful age. Every age has its own beauty.
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (86713)
• United States
18 Dec 24
You are correct! I’m blessed to be this age and still able to transport myself with minimal assistance (I occasionally need to use a cane), I have what little mind I started with, and I’m able to live life to its fullest. That’s a truly blessed life.
and I’m able to live life to its fullest. That’s a truly blessed life.1 person likes this
@Dreamerby (10111)
• Calcutta, India
19 Dec 24
@FourWalls Yeah. Being healthy is the greatest blessing, I reckon.
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (86713)
• United States
18 Dec 24
Yep. I know what’s best for me….or I think i do.
1 person likes this
