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Green Jell-O in Hospitals
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Sqwertz
May 23, 2019, 8:55:43 PM5/23/19
to
Did you ever notice that hospitals serve green Jell-O 99% of the
time (orange is the other 1%). If you want red Jell-O you gotta get
it at the cafeteria downstairs.
Who buy's Jell-O in a hospital cafeteria anyway?
A: The people who are sick of eating patient's green Jell-O, that's
who.
That's my Kuthe for the month. Thank your for listening. Here's a
bogus youtube link to ignore:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9rIy0xY99a0
-sw
time (orange is the other 1%). If you want red Jell-O you gotta get
it at the cafeteria downstairs.
Who buy's Jell-O in a hospital cafeteria anyway?
A: The people who are sick of eating patient's green Jell-O, that's
who.
That's my Kuthe for the month. Thank your for listening. Here's a
bogus youtube link to ignore:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9rIy0xY99a0
-sw
Bruce
May 23, 2019, 9:00:32 PM5/23/19
to
On Thu, 23 May 2019 19:57:27 -0500, Sqwertz <sqwe...@gmail.invalid>
wrote:
>Did you ever notice that hospitals serve green Jell-O 99% of the
>time (orange is the other 1%). If you want red Jell-O you gotta get
>it at the cafeteria downstairs.
>
>Who buy's Jell-O in a hospital cafeteria anyway?
>
>A: The people who are sick of eating patient's green Jell-O, that's
>who.
This is what happens when you eat too many Reubens.
wrote:
>Did you ever notice that hospitals serve green Jell-O 99% of the
>time (orange is the other 1%). If you want red Jell-O you gotta get
>it at the cafeteria downstairs.
>
>Who buy's Jell-O in a hospital cafeteria anyway?
>
>A: The people who are sick of eating patient's green Jell-O, that's
>who.
U.S. Janet B.
May 23, 2019, 10:14:38 PM5/23/19
to
On Thu, 23 May 2019 19:57:27 -0500, Sqwertz <sqwe...@gmail.invalid>
wrote:
wrote:
Sqwertz
May 23, 2019, 11:33:49 PM5/23/19
to
are done. You usually only get food after surgery and during
recovery. And sometimes not even then. You're often lucky to even
get water - ice chips maybe.
I was thinking "no red" because it reminds you of blood and guts.
-sw
Ed Pawlowski
May 23, 2019, 11:51:08 PM5/23/19
to
do more tests?
I've seen red jell-o in hospitals.
Julie Bove
May 24, 2019, 12:33:00 AM5/24/19
to
"Sqwertz" <sqwe...@gmail.invalid> wrote in message
news:10vbcyes...@sqwertz.com...
Sqwertz
May 24, 2019, 1:05:16 AM5/24/19
to
surgery or another surgery, not a chance.
> I've seen red jell-o in hospitals.
last 10, and 30+ days before that. Nobody ever got red jello in any
room I've been in. But everybody gets jello.
Sqwertz
May 24, 2019, 1:06:35 AM5/24/19
to
-sw
Bruce
May 24, 2019, 1:08:42 AM5/24/19
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On Fri, 24 May 2019 00:07:00 -0500, Sqwertz <sqwe...@gmail.invalid>
Lol. I guess many people die of starvation in American hospitals.
S Viemeister
May 24, 2019, 5:21:24 AM5/24/19
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On 5/24/2019 4:51 AM, Ed Pawlowski wrote:
> I've seen red jell-o in hospitals.
Me, too. Not my favourite 'food', but (slightly) better than nothing.
> I've seen red jell-o in hospitals.
notbob
May 24, 2019, 12:59:32 PM5/24/19
to
On 2019-05-24, Ed Pawlowski <e...@snet.xxx> wrote:
> I've seen red jell-o in hospitals.
????
> I've seen red jell-o in hospitals.
Red Jell-O is common! Strawberry, raspberry, cherry, etc.
A common combo (when I was a kid) was some kinda "red" Jell-O and
fruit cocktail. That's gone? ;)
nb
tert in seattle
May 24, 2019, 1:30:05 PM5/24/19
to
10. pickle overdose
9. hypoproteinemia
8. surplus in flexible healthcare spending account
7. TIAD
6. chronic hemorrhagic opinionating
5. he was mistaken for John Kuthe
4. acute ennui
3. Bove derangement disorder
2. brain transplant
1. FATTY LIVER
GM
May 24, 2019, 5:21:01 PM5/24/19
to
Lol...
--
Best
Greg
itsjoan...@webtv.net
May 24, 2019, 5:33:20 PM5/24/19
to
On Friday, May 24, 2019 at 11:59:32 AM UTC-5, notbob wrote:
>
> A common combo (when I was a kid) was some kinda "red" Jell-O and
> fruit cocktail. That's gone? ;)
>
> nb
>
I always liked fruit in Jell-O and usually it was fruit cocktail.
>
> A common combo (when I was a kid) was some kinda "red" Jell-O and
> fruit cocktail. That's gone? ;)
>
> nb
>
Dave Smith
May 24, 2019, 5:33:22 PM5/24/19
to
for my gall bladder. Every meal included red jello.
Sqwertz
May 25, 2019, 1:47:51 AM5/25/19
to
hours and burned thousands of calories.
-sw
Sqwertz
May 25, 2019, 1:59:44 AM5/25/19
to
exclude RED Jello-O.
Dave here just wanted to chime in with something Anti-Sqwertz. He
does it frequently all the time and it never makes sense.
Anyway - here is the major reason Red Jello isn't served to patients
(or on clear fluid diets). Janet had the closest correct answer.
https://www.livestrong.com/article/464596-jell-o-clear-liquid-diets/
I also think it's a mental thing - blood, guts, swellgin, scars...
ALL RED. Why is there never a 13th floor in a hospital or rooms
ending in "13" (wait for it: "My hospital has a 13th floor...")
Anyway, thanks for your participation.
-sw
Bruce
May 25, 2019, 2:18:48 AM5/25/19
to
On Sat, 25 May 2019 01:01:28 -0500, Sqwertz <sqwe...@gmail.invalid>
wrote:
>Yeah, that might make sense if clear fluid diets didn't specifically
>exclude RED Jello-O.
>
>Dave here just wanted to chime in with something Anti-Sqwertz. He
>does it frequently all the time and it never makes sense.
>
>Anyway - here is the major reason Red Jello isn't served to patients
>(or on clear fluid diets). Janet had the closest correct answer.
>
>https://www.livestrong.com/article/464596-jell-o-clear-liquid-diets/
>
> I also think it's a mental thing - blood, guts, swellgin, scars...
>ALL RED. Why is there never a 13th floor in a hospital or rooms
>ending in "13" (wait for it: "My hospital has a 13th floor...")
>
>Anyway, thanks for your participation.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Narcissism
wrote:
>Yeah, that might make sense if clear fluid diets didn't specifically
>exclude RED Jello-O.
>
>Dave here just wanted to chime in with something Anti-Sqwertz. He
>does it frequently all the time and it never makes sense.
>
>Anyway - here is the major reason Red Jello isn't served to patients
>(or on clear fluid diets). Janet had the closest correct answer.
>
>https://www.livestrong.com/article/464596-jell-o-clear-liquid-diets/
>
> I also think it's a mental thing - blood, guts, swellgin, scars...
>ALL RED. Why is there never a 13th floor in a hospital or rooms
>ending in "13" (wait for it: "My hospital has a 13th floor...")
>
>Anyway, thanks for your participation.
Gary
May 25, 2019, 6:19:59 AM5/25/19
to
Odd to eat it plain.
With fruit cocktail was good.
Also with fresh sliced banana was good.
(Both of those mixed in before it jelled)
Add a bit of vanilla ice cream at serving time,
was even better.
That said, I haven't had Jell-O since I was a kid.
I'll add that to my bucket list...
Orange Jell-O with banana and vanilla ice cream. :)
And since I never made all the years my daughter was growing up,
maybe I'll make it the next time she comes for a visit.
col...@gmail.com
May 25, 2019, 7:07:02 AM5/25/19
to
I've never been in a hospital so I know nothing about it.
Gary
May 25, 2019, 8:21:49 AM5/25/19
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ADD ME! Never as an inpatient and I plan to continue the trend.
I did have to go (outpatient) last October. Right before my
Medicare kicked in unfortunately. (Dec.1)
Private doctor visit cost $92. Reasonable price.
Then he sent me to the hospital for chest x-rays.
The x-ray doctor charged $70-something for their work.
Again a reasonable price for 5 x-rays.
The hospital finally sent me a bill just for being there
and the use of their equipment. $830. Bastards!
So that one day cost me almost $1000. Fuggin hospitals.
BTW, the chest x-rays showed that all was well....WHEW!
It had been over 30 years since the last one so I was
worried. Expensive day but ended my worrying.
For that reason, it was worth the price I suppose.
Anyway, if my insurance had started then, I would have
had to pay about $200 vs the $1000 that I did pay.
BUT...since then I've paid insurance $1240 so far
for premiums and I haven't needed to go back anyway.
It's a lose-lose situation, imo.
Now, I'm paying about $1650 per year and still
don't need any medical care. Maybe I just need to
start getting sickly more often.
Hopefully, NOT! :O WTH?
I did have to go (outpatient) last October. Right before my
Medicare kicked in unfortunately. (Dec.1)
Private doctor visit cost $92. Reasonable price.
Then he sent me to the hospital for chest x-rays.
The x-ray doctor charged $70-something for their work.
Again a reasonable price for 5 x-rays.
The hospital finally sent me a bill just for being there
and the use of their equipment. $830. Bastards!
So that one day cost me almost $1000. Fuggin hospitals.
BTW, the chest x-rays showed that all was well....WHEW!
It had been over 30 years since the last one so I was
worried. Expensive day but ended my worrying.
For that reason, it was worth the price I suppose.
Anyway, if my insurance had started then, I would have
had to pay about $200 vs the $1000 that I did pay.
BUT...since then I've paid insurance $1240 so far
for premiums and I haven't needed to go back anyway.
It's a lose-lose situation, imo.
Now, I'm paying about $1650 per year and still
don't need any medical care. Maybe I just need to
start getting sickly more often.
Hopefully, NOT! :O WTH?
penm...@aol.com
May 25, 2019, 8:56:24 AM5/25/19
to
flavored seltza to the syrup for the liquid.
I never liked fruit cocktail.
Actually my favorite Jell-O is lime.
penm...@aol.com
May 25, 2019, 9:25:54 AM5/25/19
to
On Sat, 25 May 2019 08:21:46 -0400, Gary <g.ma...@att.net> wrote:
>col...@gmail.com wrote:
>>
>> I've never been in a hospital so I know nothing about it.
>
>ADD ME! Never as an inpatient and I plan to continue the trend.
>
>I did have to go (outpatient) last October. Right before my
>Medicare kicked in unfortunately. (Dec.1)
>
>Private doctor visit cost $92. Reasonable price.
>Then he sent me to the hospital for chest x-rays.
>The x-ray doctor charged $70-something for their work.
> Again a reasonable price for 5 x-rays.
That's odd, what symptoms required five chest views? Typicallly there
>col...@gmail.com wrote:
>>
>> I've never been in a hospital so I know nothing about it.
>
>ADD ME! Never as an inpatient and I plan to continue the trend.
>
>I did have to go (outpatient) last October. Right before my
>Medicare kicked in unfortunately. (Dec.1)
>
>Private doctor visit cost $92. Reasonable price.
>Then he sent me to the hospital for chest x-rays.
>The x-ray doctor charged $70-something for their work.
> Again a reasonable price for 5 x-rays.
are only two views, one frontal and one lateral. For something
requiring more detail the doctor would have wanted a CAT scan.
How long ago did you get chest X-rays... nowadays they no longer use
film, now X-rays are digital, costs a lot less.
>The hospital finally sent me a bill just for being there
>and the use of their equipment. $830. Bastards!
>
>So that one day cost me almost $1000. Fuggin hospitals.
other than the ins premium which is low through AARP. Even with
Medicare you still need ins, there's a lot that Medicare doesn't
cover.
jmcquown
May 25, 2019, 9:31:05 AM5/25/19
to
instructions said I could drink Gatorade but NOT the red stuff. I'm
sure the reasons for no red Jell-O are the same.
Jill
jmcquown
May 25, 2019, 9:33:56 AM5/25/19
to
any Jell-O, not even green Jell-O.
Jill
itsjoan...@webtv.net
May 25, 2019, 1:16:20 PM5/25/19
to
On Saturday, May 25, 2019 at 5:19:59 AM UTC-5, Gary wrote:
>
> Same here, Joan. I always preferred the orange Jell-0.
> Odd to eat it plain.
>
I always like my plain Jell-O with a spoon of mayonnaise.
>
> Same here, Joan. I always preferred the orange Jell-0.
> Odd to eat it plain.
>
>
> With fruit cocktail was good.
> Also with fresh sliced banana was good.
> (Both of those mixed in before it jelled)
>
> Add a bit of vanilla ice cream at serving time,
> was even better.
>
I'll admit I've never eaten Jell-O with ice cream.
> With fruit cocktail was good.
> Also with fresh sliced banana was good.
> (Both of those mixed in before it jelled)
>
> Add a bit of vanilla ice cream at serving time,
> was even better.
>
>
> That said, I haven't had Jell-O since I was a kid.
> I'll add that to my bucket list...
> Orange Jell-O with banana and vanilla ice cream. :)
>
It's been about 6 months since I've fixed and eaten any. Close to time
> That said, I haven't had Jell-O since I was a kid.
> I'll add that to my bucket list...
> Orange Jell-O with banana and vanilla ice cream. :)
>
to mix up some more.
dsi1
May 25, 2019, 2:04:50 PM5/25/19
to
Ophelia
May 25, 2019, 4:35:35 PM5/25/19
to
"dsi1" wrote in message
news:91273d35-1656-4dc5...@googlegroups.com...
Unless you live in UK:)
dsi1
May 25, 2019, 5:48:11 PM5/25/19
to
On Saturday, May 25, 2019 at 10:35:35 AM UTC-10, Ophelia wrote:
> ===
>
> Unless you live in UK:)
In America, money is the first consideration above all else. I suppose that's ok but these days, it's getting ridiculous. The new world is no county for old men.
> ===
>
> Unless you live in UK:)
dsi1
May 25, 2019, 11:02:34 PM5/25/19
to
On Saturday, May 25, 2019 at 3:31:05 AM UTC-10, jmcquown wrote:
> Colonoscopy comes to mind. The last time I had one the prep
> instructions said I could drink Gatorade but NOT the red stuff. I'm
> sure the reasons for no red Jell-O are the same.
>
> Jill
I had a colonoscopy last week. I was restricted to a clear liquid diet. No red drinks, of course. That could mask bleeding into the colon.
> Colonoscopy comes to mind. The last time I had one the prep
> instructions said I could drink Gatorade but NOT the red stuff. I'm
> sure the reasons for no red Jell-O are the same.
>
> Jill
To clear my guts out, I drank a bottle of magnesium citrate, with a second on a few hours afterwards. These were relatively small 10oz bottles. The liquid has an intense sweet-salty lemony taste. Ha ha, the taste is similar to li hing mui powder which is popular in Hawaii. The taste might make folks on the mainland gag but I thought it went down real smooth like. :)
https://www.polynesia.com/blog/li-hing-mui-vinaigrette/
Ophelia
May 26, 2019, 8:03:17 AM5/26/19
to
"dsi1" wrote in message
news:5f123d87-0ef0-413e...@googlegroups.com...
To be honest, for the sick and ill, it sounds very worrying:(
Ophelia
May 26, 2019, 8:03:18 AM5/26/19
to
"dsi1" wrote in message
news:59de52bf-1b96-4e35...@googlegroups.com...
Hope all turned out well??
dsi1
May 26, 2019, 2:18:20 PM5/26/19
to
dsi1
May 26, 2019, 2:19:30 PM5/26/19
to
Ophelia
May 26, 2019, 4:08:54 PM5/26/19
to
"dsi1" wrote in message
news:615479bc-7903-44e6...@googlegroups.com...
It seems to me they don't have a choice:((
Ophelia
May 26, 2019, 4:08:54 PM5/26/19
to
"dsi1" wrote in message
news:43ef47e5-2612-48fe...@googlegroups.com...
Heh I can't argue with that:))
dsi1
May 26, 2019, 8:19:59 PM5/26/19
to
On Sunday, May 26, 2019 at 10:08:54 AM UTC-10, Ophelia wrote:
> "dsi1" wrote in message
> news:615479bc-7903-44e6...@googlegroups.com...
>
> On Sunday, May 26, 2019 at 2:03:17 AM UTC-10, Ophelia wrote:
> > "dsi1" wrote in message
> > news:5f123d87-0ef0-413e...@googlegroups.com...
> >
> > On Saturday, May 25, 2019 at 10:35:35 AM UTC-10, Ophelia wrote:
> > > ===
> > >
> > > Unless you live in UK:)
> >
> > In America, money is the first consideration above all else. I suppose
> > that's ok but these days, it's getting ridiculous. The new world is no
> > county for old men.
> >
> > ==
> >
> > To be honest, for the sick and ill, it sounds very worrying:(
>
> This is one tough country to live in if you're old or not in good health.
> Evidently, Americans are okay with that.
>
> ==
>
> It seems to me they don't have a choice:((
I think the boomers of America still have some time to take action but in about a decade, nobody's going to care about them. At that time, they won't have a choice. They'll get everything that they deserve. That's the breaks.
> "dsi1" wrote in message
> news:615479bc-7903-44e6...@googlegroups.com...
>
> On Sunday, May 26, 2019 at 2:03:17 AM UTC-10, Ophelia wrote:
> > "dsi1" wrote in message
> > news:5f123d87-0ef0-413e...@googlegroups.com...
> >
> > On Saturday, May 25, 2019 at 10:35:35 AM UTC-10, Ophelia wrote:
> > > ===
> > >
> > > Unless you live in UK:)
> >
> > In America, money is the first consideration above all else. I suppose
> > that's ok but these days, it's getting ridiculous. The new world is no
> > county for old men.
> >
> > ==
> >
> > To be honest, for the sick and ill, it sounds very worrying:(
>
> This is one tough country to live in if you're old or not in good health.
> Evidently, Americans are okay with that.
>
> ==
>
> It seems to me they don't have a choice:((
dsi1
May 26, 2019, 8:21:10 PM5/26/19
to
Leonard Blaisdell
May 26, 2019, 11:19:41 PM5/26/19
to
In article <f947fe31-92b4-4dce...@googlegroups.com>,
Dole makes a kind of expensive (over two bucks) four pack of pre-made
fruit jellos. They should be in the canned fruit section of a
supermarket that carries Dole. They have mandarin oranges in orange
gel, peaches in strawberry gel, mixed fruit in cherry gel and mangoes
in mango gel. Look for "Gel" on the package if interested. I love 'em
all.
Of course, anyone could make these things, far cheaper. Have I ever
made Jello? I can't remember, but I bet I could if I wanted.
On a side note, I really should make some ambrosia or watergate salad
some time. I really liked that stuff. Why am I not eating it now?
leo
Dole makes a kind of expensive (over two bucks) four pack of pre-made
fruit jellos. They should be in the canned fruit section of a
supermarket that carries Dole. They have mandarin oranges in orange
gel, peaches in strawberry gel, mixed fruit in cherry gel and mangoes
in mango gel. Look for "Gel" on the package if interested. I love 'em
all.
Of course, anyone could make these things, far cheaper. Have I ever
made Jello? I can't remember, but I bet I could if I wanted.
On a side note, I really should make some ambrosia or watergate salad
some time. I really liked that stuff. Why am I not eating it now?
leo
itsjoan...@webtv.net
May 26, 2019, 11:30:53 PM5/26/19
to
On Sunday, May 26, 2019 at 10:19:41 PM UTC-5, Leonard Blaisdell wrote:
>
> Dole makes a kind of expensive (over two bucks) four pack of pre-made
> fruit jellos. They should be in the canned fruit section of a
> supermarket that carries Dole. They have mandarin oranges in orange
> gel, peaches in strawberry gel, mixed fruit in cherry gel and mangoes
> in mango gel. Look for "Gel" on the package if interested. I love 'em
> all.
> Of course, anyone could make these things, far cheaper. Have I ever
> made Jello? I can't remember, but I bet I could if I wanted.
> On a side note, I really should make some ambrosia or watergate salad
> some time. I really liked that stuff. Why am I not eating it now?
>
> leo
>
If you can boil water and stir it into a bowl with a packet of Jell-O powder,
>
> Dole makes a kind of expensive (over two bucks) four pack of pre-made
> fruit jellos. They should be in the canned fruit section of a
> supermarket that carries Dole. They have mandarin oranges in orange
> gel, peaches in strawberry gel, mixed fruit in cherry gel and mangoes
> in mango gel. Look for "Gel" on the package if interested. I love 'em
> all.
> Of course, anyone could make these things, far cheaper. Have I ever
> made Jello? I can't remember, but I bet I could if I wanted.
> On a side note, I really should make some ambrosia or watergate salad
> some time. I really liked that stuff. Why am I not eating it now?
>
> leo
>
then you can make Jell-O. If you want fruit in it you'll have to wait until
it's starting to jell before adding.
Ambrosia and Watergate salad are two of my favorites! For some reason
ambrosia only seems to show up around Christmas.
Cindy Hamilton
May 27, 2019, 6:03:03 AM5/27/19
to
Cindy Hamilton
Ophelia
May 27, 2019, 9:26:19 AM5/27/19
to
"Cindy Hamilton" wrote in message
news:4ad01769-bbe2-4da7...@googlegroups.com...
I was referring to those who cannot afford treatment.
Ophelia
May 27, 2019, 9:26:19 AM5/27/19
to
"dsi1" wrote in message
news:f4c625d2-dfaf-4fe8...@googlegroups.com...
:p
col...@gmail.com
May 27, 2019, 1:51:46 PM5/27/19
to
I got some cherry jello because the glycine in it is supposed to make me sleep better.
dsi1
May 27, 2019, 2:54:19 PM5/27/19
to
Cindy Hamilton
May 27, 2019, 3:48:30 PM5/27/19
to
fact in the U.S. that people without money are screwed.
Cindy Hamilton
dsi1
May 27, 2019, 4:00:28 PM5/27/19
to
Bruce
May 27, 2019, 4:11:44 PM5/27/19
to
Jack Granade
May 27, 2019, 7:04:40 PM5/27/19
to
Four more years!!
Bruce
May 27, 2019, 7:10:19 PM5/27/19
to
On Mon, 27 May 2019 19:04:36 -0400, Jack Granade <laf...@u.none>
wrote:
Not at all. You're a great source of entertainment, also without the
orange man-child.
wrote:
orange man-child.
Jack Granade
May 27, 2019, 7:12:11 PM5/27/19
to
Bruce
May 27, 2019, 7:27:14 PM5/27/19
to
On Mon, 27 May 2019 19:12:08 -0400, Jack Granade <laf...@u.none>
It would be fun.
Cindy Hamilton
May 28, 2019, 6:15:36 AM5/28/19
to
Private charity was imperfect, but people were fairly generous.
Neighborliness went a long way--if your neighbor was suffering
you might send over a casserole or help him find a job.
When medical technology was relatively primitive, it was not
so difficult to afford treatment. Now, when treatment can cost
hundreds of thousands of dollars, not so much.
Cindy Hamilton
Bruce
May 28, 2019, 6:43:20 AM5/28/19
to
>When medical technology was relatively primitive, it was not
>so difficult to afford treatment. Now, when treatment can cost
>hundreds of thousands of dollars, not so much.
GM
May 28, 2019, 8:35:52 AM5/28/19
to
Americans are at the *top* of the list when it comes to charitable giving, volunteering, etc....
> When medical technology was relatively primitive, it was not
> so difficult to afford treatment. Now, when treatment can cost
> hundreds of thousands of dollars, not so much.
https://www.heritage.org/political-process/report/mutual-aid-welfare-state-how-fraternal-societies-fought-poverty-and-taught
From Mutual Aid to Welfare State: How Fraternal Societies Fought Poverty and Taught Character
July 27, 2000
David Beito
Senior Associate Fellow
"Mutual aid was one of the cornerstones of social welfare in the United States until the early 20th century. The fraternal society was a leading example. The statistical record of fraternalism was impressive. A conservative estimate is that one-third of adult American males belonged to lodges in 1910. A fraternal analogue existed for virtually every major service of the modern welfare state including orphanages, hospitals, job exchanges, homes for the elderly, and scholarship programs.
But societies also gave benefits that were much less quantifiable. By joining a lodge, an initiate adopted, at least implicitly, a set of survival values.
Societies dedicated themselves to the advancement of mutualism, self-reliance, business training, thrift, leadership skills, self-government, self-control, and good moral character. These values, which can fit under the rubric of social capital, reflected a kind of fraternal consensus that cut across such seemingly intractable divisions as race, sex, and income.
The record of five societies that thrived at or near the turn of the century illustrates the many variants of this system. Each had a distinct membership base. Two of the societies, the Independent Order of Saint Luke and the United Order of True Reformers, were all-black. Both had been founded by ex-slaves after the Civil War and specialized initially in sickness and burial insurance. The other societies had entirely white memberships. The Loyal Order of Moose was an exclusively male society that emphasized sickness and burial benefits. It became best known during the 20th century for its orphanage, Mooseheart, near Aurora, Illinois. The Security Benefit Association (originally the Knights and Ladies of Security) followed in a similar tradition but broke from the mainstream by allowing men and women to join on equal terms. During the 1910s and the 1920s, the Knights and Ladies of Security established a hospital, a home for the elderly, and an orphanage all in a single location near Topeka. The Ladies of the Maccabees was an all-white, all-female society. It provided such health benefits as surgical care. It is worth noting that the women who belonged to these societies, regarded themselves as members of fraternal rather than sororal societies. For them, fraternity, much like liberty and equality, was the common heritage of both men and women. To this end, an official of the Ladies of the Maccabees asserted that "Fraternity in these modern days has been wrested from its original significance and has come to mean a sisterhood, as well as a brotherhood, in the human family."
These five societies, despite their other differences, showed some striking similarities in outlook. With perhaps slight changes in wording, the following statement, penned by a member of the Security Benefit Association, was suitable to each: "Its prime object is to promote the brotherhood of man, teach fidelity to home and loved ones, loyalty to country and respect of law, to establish a system for the care of the widows and orphans, the aged and disabled, and enable every worthy member to protect himself from the ills of life and make substantial provision through co-operation with our members, for those who are nearest and dearest."
Although these societies relied on nearly identical terminology, the interpretations and applications often diverged. Each found creative ways to customize such ideals as thrift, self-reliance, and self-government to suit the special needs and interests of its members. This behavior reached full expression outside of the white-male fraternal mainstream. For example, societies that catered to blacks and women used key credos of the fraternal consensus to overcome disfranchisement, segregation, and discrimination.
Regardless of other distinctions, the theme of the loving and extended family found universal fraternal appeal. According to the ritual of the Independent Order of Saint Luke, all initiates were "members of the same family" pledged to "stand by one another at all hazards." It specified that what we "lack by the sacred ties of blood we make up by a solemn oath-bound obligation, declaring ourselves sisters and brothers, children of the same Father." The Loyal Order of Moose promoted its orphanage by vowing that "this Order comes as a Mother to her children to help them in their hour of trial."
Rituals often relied on the Bible to impart lessons of fraternity. The Independent Order of Saint Luke took its name from the Luke of the Gospels. An initiate vowed to "be true and faithful to the Christian religion" and devote leisure time to "searching the Holy Scriptures, so that I may become useful and true to all mankind." The ritual of the Ladies of the Maccabees drew inspiration from the Old Testament: "Like the Maccabees of old we are marching forward, a mighty army, for the defense of our loved ones and the protection of our homes."
All the societies advocated self-reliance, a hallmark of fraternalism. This objective was a centerpiece of the initiation ceremony of the Independent Order of Saint Luke, which featured a symbolic journey to Jerusalem. To foster humility, it required the candidate to wear a torn white robe. Prior to the journey, a guide foretold what lay ahead: "You may find the road rough and rugged, and you may meet with disappointment and mistrust....You will find no friendly hand extended, or kind advice given you on which to lean." The meaning of the lesson was plain: "This is one of the times that self-reliance must be exerted. You must seek to find the emblem of the cross, with patience and unceasing energy as it is claimed Helena possessed in searching for the cross of Calvary."
Unlike the Independent Order of St. Luke, which admitted men and women on equal terms, the Ladies of the Maccabees barred men from joining. One of the chief defenders of this policy was Bina West, who was Supreme Commander of the organization from 1911 to 1948. She recalled with some amusement how several men from the parallel Knights of the Maccabees had applied as honorary members. She responded that "L.O.T.M., which means Ladies of the Maccabees, may also be construed to mean, Leave Out Those Men."
For the Ladies of the Maccabees, the all-female policy fortified self-reliance, another pillar of the fraternal value consensus. Elizabeth McGowan, a leading defender of male exclusion, asserted that women who participated with the opposite sex in fraternal auxiliaries, such as the Eastern Star of the Masons, often became "timid in the presence of men of superior knowledge." As a result, they "waive their rights and privileges and become reliant and dependent....Thus, woman becomes irresponsible."
She concluded that such a woman would more likely be "courageous and strong in her own meeting hall where only sisterly faces greet her and conscious that she must assume all the responsibilities."
More bluntly, Emma Olds, the Great Commander of Ohio, argued that self-reliance was worthy of the name only if it came from the initiative of women. She approvingly quoted President James A. Garfield that the best lesson for a young man was to be "thrown overboard." For Olds, it "should be equally helpful to character building to women to be thrown upon their own business resources, to be allowed and even compelled to rely upon their own judgment and business sagacity."
The value of thrift ranked high in the fraternal consensus, and the Ladies of the Maccabees was no exception. It advertised the "ways of thrift" as the "ways of pleasantness." Maggie L. Walker, the head of the all-black Independent Order of St. Luke from 1899 to 1934, was much like her counterparts in white societies in singing the praises of frugality. She established thrift clubs for the young and, with a Franklinesque flourish, urged members "to save some part of every dollar you have, and the practice will become a habit--a habit which you will never regret, and of which you will never grow shame."
If self-reliance and thrift were fraternal watchwords, so too was individualism. The word did not entail Epicurean self-gratification or Emersonian contrariness; instead, it was akin to a winnowing out process for the improvement of character. Successful fraternal individualists were to be economically self-reliant as well as proficient in the arts of cooperation and leadership. Although this ideal entailed self-discipline, the ultimate goal was not purely, or even mainly, selfish. For this reason, an official of the all-black United Order of True Reformers rejected any contradiction between opposition to "selfish individualism, intemperance and non-accumulativeness" and support for a program enabling "people to get homes and means upon which they may independently subsist."
A key tenet of fraternal individualism was the need to exercise mastery over the self. As a promotional publication of the all-white Loyal Order of Moose put it, the "kingship of self-control" was the "noblest royalty of a man. The self-control he is taught to observe is the highest and best use of all his faculties, the mastery of his desires, passions and appetites, and the power to withstand temptation to the illegitimate use or prostitution of any part of his being, body, mind, spirit, and will." Self-control meant the power to resist such vices as gluttony, "over-drinking, over-smoking, lack of exercise, bad air, bad conversation, fool books."
But, according to this pan-fraternal philosophy, such qualities were useless unless tempered with civility. Vigilant watch was maintained against those who endangered the harmony of the lodge by indulging in personal attacks. As Mary MacEachern of the Ladies of the Maccabees framed it, the "woman with a grievance is welcome--nowhere." The Independent Order of Saint Luke required that an initiate forswear "slandering a member of this Order or a family of a member."
Nonpartisanship was another component of the fraternal value consensus. The Ladies of the Maccabees was typical in its rule that the organization be "non-sectarian" and "non-political." Societies favored nonpartisanship to achieve harmony and to widen the applicant pool. It was standard practice for aspiring Republican and Democratic politicians to join all the leading lodges in their community. Individuals who were bitter rivals politically could co-exist under a common fraternal banner. The Loyal Order of Moose was not unique when it signed up prominent politicians from both parties--William Jennings Bryan, Theodore Roosevelt, and Champ Clark.
Although the Ladies of the Maccabees required that members eschew politics, this rule did not preclude support for feminist causes. Many of its leaders played prominent roles in suffrage and temperance organizations, such as Woman's Christian Temperance Union, the National American Woman Suffrage Association, and the League of Women Voters.
Though they too adopted a rule against politics, the Independent Order of St. Luke and the United Order of True Reformers did not ignore the question of race. Both marshaled their resources against discriminatory legislation and lynching. From 1923 until her death, Walker served on the board of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People and formed common cause with the United Order of True Reformers in protests against the Jim Crow streetcar law of 1904. It was partly because of Walker's efforts that about 80 percent of eligible black voters in Richmond by the 1920s were women.
All five societies prohibited formal distinctions based on income and class. The United Order of True Reformers boasted that it made "capital and labor friends." Similarly, the ritual of the Ladies of the Maccabees called on the initiate to know "no selfish ambitions, no class distinctions." The better-off members were more often leaders, but it was not hard to find examples such as that described by the publicity for the Loyal Order of Moose, of a "modest workingman" directing "the affairs of the lodge, while seated in the meeting is his employer."
While fraternalists disdained partisanship, they zealously promoted patriotism. The newsletter of the Security Benefit Association phrased the matter bluntly: "The Lodge System is the foe of the outlaw and the anarchist, inculcating patriotism and love for country and that to live for one's country is as essential as to die for it." The ritual of the Ladies of the Maccabees required the initiate to "[b]ehold that glorious banner, our Nation's Flag" and featured a group rendition of "Flag of Our Nation." Fraternalists contended that patriotism and good moral character were part of one package. The official historian of the United Order of True Reformers, for instance, defined as "good citizens" those who strived "to obey the laws of the government, and to practice virtue, morality, industry, and economy."
The five societies promoted entrepreneurship among members but each favored a different strategy to achieve this end. Though the Ladies of the Maccabees did not own businesses or grant loans, it endeavored to teach managerial and financial skills. One official boasted that the lodge provided "business training which can be had in no other way" by showing techniques "of handling money, and ordinary business forms." It also taught more intangible skills. The work of the lodge, according to the newsletter of the Ladies of the Maccabees, cultivated habits of "patience, forbearance, perseverance, and practicability."
In contrast to the white societies, however, the United Order of the True Reformers and the Independent Order of St. Luke actually established their own business. In making this departure, the United Order of True Reformers vowed not only to "take care of the sick and bury the dead" but to create an organization "united in finance" as well as "united in brotherhood." The most durable of these black fraternal business enterprises were those of the Independent Order of St. Luke. In 1903, it founded the Saint Luke Penny Savings Bank of Richmond, thus making Maggie Walker the first black woman to be a bank president in American history. The Independent Order also established a printing plant, a newspaper called the Saint Luke Herald , and, for a brief time, a department store, the Saint Luke Emporium.
To justify these investments, Maggie Walker argued that blacks could never achieve dignity and first-class citizenship without laying an economic foundation. She stressed the benefits that a black-owned store such as the Saint Luke Emporium would bring to women as consumers, where it would finally be possible to shop without fear of facing disrespectful treatment from white merchants. Walker underscored that this choice would never exist unless blacks created a clientele by kicking their habit of spending paychecks in white stores and white banks.
The heyday of all five societies was during an era when millions of Americans lived on a scale of poverty which would be considered intolerable by today's underclass. Despite this, millions invested their scarce resources in erecting a vast system of fraternal mutual aid. Although insurance gave some protection, those who subscribed to fraternal societies gained access to services not easily guaranteed in a commercial contract. The lodge offered its members the formal and informal components of mutual aid and sought to educate them in a set of values.
The ideals of these societies illustrate the many variants and the breadth of the fraternal value consensus. The United Order of True Reformers and the Independent Order of Saint Luke advanced programs of ethnic self-help; the Ladies of the Maccabees wanted female political and economic emancipation. For the Security Benefit Association and the Loyal Order of Moose, the key goals were to impart life skills and establish social-welfare institutions. There was considerable diversity in the economic profile of the memberships served by these organizations. These differences, however, should not obscure the commonality. All these societies drew from the same basic fraternal pantheon of self-help, individualism, self-government, civility, and mutualism.
By the 1930s, fraternal societies had entered a period of decline from which they never recovered. While this trend was caused by several factors, including increased competition from commercial insurance and the lure of competing forms of entertainment, such as radio and movies, it was fundamentally due to a transformation in the nature of fraternalism. By the 1940s, conviviality and life insurance, instead of mutual aid, became the order of the day. But these inducements were rarely enough to attract and hold members.
One of the earliest reasons for the shift in fraternal priorities can be laid at the doorstep of the medical associations. As early as the 1910s, the profession, increasingly fortified by tighter certification requirements which reduced the supply of doctors, had launched an all-out war against fraternal medical services by imposing manifold sanctions, including denial of licenses against doctors who accepted these contracts. One highly effective method of enforcement was to pressure hospitals to close their doors to fraternal members who used "lodge doctors." By 1914, Dr. Robert Allen in the Journal of the American Medical Association could state, with slight exaggeration, that "there is scarcely a city in the country in which medical societies have not issued edicts against members who accept contracts for lodge practice." Some societies, such as the Security Benefit Association, responded to this pressure by building self-contained hospitals. They too, however, often ran afoul of medical society pressure as well as a federal tax code that discriminated in favor of third-party insurance.
Another factor in fraternal decline, though tracing the exact relationship is difficult, was the rise of the welfare state. The first three decades of the 20th century brought a rapid and unprecedented expansion in the government's social welfare role. The two leading sources of growth were mothers' pensions and workers' compensation. In 1910, no state had either program; by 1931, both were nearly universal. During the 1920s, the number of individuals on the mothers' pension rolls almost doubled.
Certainly, there were more than a few leaders of fraternal societies who predicted that this rising welfare state would eventually undermine mutual aid. As the magazine of the Fraternal Order of Eagles put in 1915, "the State is doing or planning to do for the wage-earner what our Order was a pioneer in doing eighteen years ago. All this is lessening the popular appeal of our beneficial features. With that appeal weakened or gone, we shall have lost a strong argument for joining the Order; for no fraternity can depend entirely on its recreational features to attract members."
During the 1930s, officials of the homes for the elderly and orphans of the SBA cited Social Security and other welfare programs as justification not only for rejecting applicants but for closing down entirely. The Security Benefit Association, for instance, closed its orphanage because of "a lack of demand or need for that form of benevolence attributable to public funds now available for the support of dependent children." It used the same justification to discontinue its home for the elderly several years later. While Mooseheart remained open and even increased capacity, applications fell off rapidly in the decades after the Depression because of a rise in social-welfare alternatives such as Aid to Families with Dependent Children.
Mutual aid was a creature of necessity. Once this necessity ended, so too did the primary reason for the existence of fraternalism. Without a return to this necessity any revival of mutual aid will remain limited. Moreover, fraternal membership, although still heavily working class, no longer includes the very poor who most need social welfare services.
Nevertheless, a reinvigoration of mutual aid (though not necessarily through fraternal societies) is not out of the question in the 21st century. One reform that would encourage such a trend is to repeal or revise laws that subsidize third-party insurance. Perhaps the leading example is legislation enacted during World War II, which exempts employer-provided fringe benefits, such as health insurance, from income tax. According to John C. Goodman, the annual value of this exemption adds up to an enormous $130 billion. For a typical autoworker, for example, it is over $1,200 per year. Federal tax policy has not only tied workers to their jobs but has undermined their incentives to purchase health insurance through non-governmental organizations such as fraternal societies. It has also created a perverse system where workers lose all their benefits when they change jobs or become unemployed. By contrast, if individuals had the same tax incentives to purchase insurance from associations, such as lodges, as they do now from their employer they could still retain full coverage even if they changed jobs.
The shift from mutual aid and self-help to the welfare state was not just a simple bookkeeping transfer of service provisions from one set of institutions to another. As many of the leaders of fraternal societies had feared, much was lost in an exchange that transcended monetary calculations. The old relationships of voluntary reciprocity and autonomy have slowly given way to paternalistic dependency. Instead of mutual aid, the dominant social-welfare arrangements of Americans have increasingly become characterized by impersonal bureaucracies controlled by outsiders..."
David T. Beito is assistant professor of history at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa and is the author of From Mutual Aid to the Welfare State: Fraternal Societies and Social Services, 1890-1967 (University of North Carolina Press).
Cindy Hamilton
May 28, 2019, 9:08:34 AM5/28/19
to
quickly.
A typical 5-day stay in the hospital can exceed $10,000. Forty
percent of Americans would be hard-pressed to come up with $400,
let alone $10,000.
Cindy Hamilton
penm...@aol.com
May 28, 2019, 10:57:51 AM5/28/19
to
On Tue, 28 May 2019 20:43:15 +1000, Bruce <br...@invalid.invalid>
wrote:
Neither is medical insurance very expensive, AARP sells excellent
plans with no deductables for like $500/yr... even covers most of my
Rx.
wrote:
plans with no deductables for like $500/yr... even covers most of my
Rx.
Gary
May 28, 2019, 11:02:19 AM5/28/19
to
addition to Medicare Parts A$B that cost you a bit over 1600 per
year.
U.S. Janet B.
May 28, 2019, 1:11:59 PM5/28/19
to
insurance, insurance company and your insurance agent.
jmcquown
May 28, 2019, 1:37:51 PM5/28/19
to
advice and recommendations. According to the ads I see on TV, they
steer you towards The Hartford. That's who is advertising with AARP at
the moment. Cheap cell phone service, too. Just join AARP. Nope.
Jill
itsjoan...@webtv.net
May 28, 2019, 2:16:24 PM5/28/19
to
On Tuesday, May 28, 2019 at 12:37:51 PM UTC-5, jmcquown wrote:
>
> First you have to join AARP and get their magazine and hence, their
> advice and recommendations. According to the ads I see on TV, they
> steer you towards The Hartford. That's who is advertising with AARP at
> the moment. Cheap cell phone service, too. Just join AARP. Nope.
>
> Jill
>
I joined AARP to get the good rates on the Medicare Supplemental policies.
>
> First you have to join AARP and get their magazine and hence, their
> advice and recommendations. According to the ads I see on TV, they
> steer you towards The Hartford. That's who is advertising with AARP at
> the moment. Cheap cell phone service, too. Just join AARP. Nope.
>
> Jill
>
But I get no magazines or any e-mail from them recommending car insurance or
cell phone service. BUT, there's always a but, monthly premiums depend on
what state you live in. I had looked at BlueCross/BlueShield at the same
policy and it was $10 more per month. Going with AARP's United Healthcare
saved me one months premium; in other words it was like paying for 11 months
vs. 12 months with BC/BS.
No matter who sells these policies they are all the same across the board,
the only difference is the premium each company can charge.
U.S. Janet B.
May 28, 2019, 2:23:33 PM5/28/19
to
On Tue, 28 May 2019 13:37:46 -0400, jmcquown <j_mc...@comcast.net>
wrote:
no problem, I have joined off and on over the years. I just am really
challenging the particulars Sheldon offered cost vs. coverage. AARP
isn't so bad. You get a magazine. Throw it away when it shows up and
there is nothing else to bother you. At least I can't recall getting
anything else from them. My cell phone plan with Tracfone is better
than theirs.
wrote:
challenging the particulars Sheldon offered cost vs. coverage. AARP
isn't so bad. You get a magazine. Throw it away when it shows up and
there is nothing else to bother you. At least I can't recall getting
anything else from them. My cell phone plan with Tracfone is better
than theirs.
dsi1
May 28, 2019, 3:40:03 PM5/28/19
to
On Tuesday, May 28, 2019 at 12:15:36 AM UTC-10, Cindy Hamilton wrote:
>
> Sure they did. Right up until, oh, the 1960s or 1970s.
>
> Private charity was imperfect, but people were fairly generous.
> Neighborliness went a long way--if your neighbor was suffering
> you might send over a casserole or help him find a job.
>
> When medical technology was relatively primitive, it was not
> so difficult to afford treatment. Now, when treatment can cost
> hundreds of thousands of dollars, not so much.
>
> Cindy Hamilton
My dad slipped on some ice and shattered his ankle in Sweden. His surgery and the couple of days in the hospital cost $50. My guess the rehab was also similarly priced.
>
> Sure they did. Right up until, oh, the 1960s or 1970s.
>
> Private charity was imperfect, but people were fairly generous.
> Neighborliness went a long way--if your neighbor was suffering
> you might send over a casserole or help him find a job.
>
> When medical technology was relatively primitive, it was not
> so difficult to afford treatment. Now, when treatment can cost
> hundreds of thousands of dollars, not so much.
>
> Cindy Hamilton
Bruce
May 28, 2019, 3:43:34 PM5/28/19
to
that. Or else what's the point of being a rich country?
Cindy Hamilton
May 28, 2019, 3:45:07 PM5/28/19
to
and any supplemental insurance he has?
If the latter, I bet the price tag was a lot more than $50.
Cindy Hamilton
Bruce
May 28, 2019, 3:55:19 PM5/28/19
to
dsi1
May 28, 2019, 5:40:27 PM5/28/19
to
Bruce
May 28, 2019, 6:30:16 PM5/28/19
to
included the words "profit" and "bottom line". Now she won't
understand.
dsi1
May 29, 2019, 5:36:09 AM5/29/19
to
Cindy Hamilton
May 29, 2019, 6:25:28 AM5/29/19
to
In contrast to your father's Swedish experience, my husband was twice in
the hospital in the U.S., for several days each time. The bills we received
amounted to a few hundred dollars. We never saw what they billed to his
insurance.
Cindy Hamilton
Jinx the Minx
May 29, 2019, 7:50:21 AM5/29/19
to
a self-insured policy for someone younger than Medicare age, along with a
$6500 deductible, bought through the new ACA marketplace.
Bruce
May 29, 2019, 7:52:10 AM5/29/19
to
Gary
May 29, 2019, 10:54:41 AM5/29/19
to
"U.S. Janet B." wrote:
>
> no problem, I have joined off and on over the years. I just am really
> challenging the particulars Sheldon offered cost vs. coverage.
What he claimed was nonsense
>
> no problem, I have joined off and on over the years. I just am really
> challenging the particulars Sheldon offered cost vs. coverage.
> AARP
> isn't so bad. You get a magazine. Throw it away when it shows up and
> there is nothing else to bother you.
articles sometimes. I never take them inside though. I leave them
in the van to read when I get bored. Many get tossed without
reading.
> At least I can't recall getting
> anything else from them. My cell phone plan with Tracfone is better
> than theirs.
bills. I signed up again last year to check out the Medicare
suppliment plan they sponsor. (United Health Care) I chose not to
buy that so I'll probably drop my subscription again this year.
Gary
May 29, 2019, 11:05:42 AM5/29/19
to
Jinx the Minx wrote:
Insurers love group policies but not private single ones. They
charge a fortune for a single policy and offer almost no benefits
or options. Every year they raised either my premium or the
annual deductible until....15 years later...I had paid them about
45K and never got a cent of benefit from them. That's when I
wised up and just quit.
I took a big risk going without for the next 15 years but my
gamble paid off. If I had kept up the insurance, the next 15
years would have cost me twice as much as I was older.
Once people now get to Medicare age, all of the sudden all of
these fantastic offers for supplimentary insurance. All that they
never offered before. I will never pay a commercial insurance
company a penny ever again. Just my plain Medicare Parts A&B is
better insurance than they offered me before and for way more
less per month. Screw them.
>
> Gary wrote:
> > Nuts. Multiply that by 3X and you might come close. That's in
> > addition to Medicare Parts A$B that cost you a bit over 1600 per
> > year.
> >
>
> And you can multiply that again by 5x, and you’ll have yourself the cost of
> a self-insured policy for someone younger than Medicare age, along with a
> $6500 deductible, bought through the new ACA marketplace.
I was in business for 20 years myself so I know that well.
> Gary wrote:
> > Nuts. Multiply that by 3X and you might come close. That's in
> > addition to Medicare Parts A$B that cost you a bit over 1600 per
> > year.
> >
>
> And you can multiply that again by 5x, and you’ll have yourself the cost of
> a self-insured policy for someone younger than Medicare age, along with a
> $6500 deductible, bought through the new ACA marketplace.
Insurers love group policies but not private single ones. They
charge a fortune for a single policy and offer almost no benefits
or options. Every year they raised either my premium or the
annual deductible until....15 years later...I had paid them about
45K and never got a cent of benefit from them. That's when I
wised up and just quit.
I took a big risk going without for the next 15 years but my
gamble paid off. If I had kept up the insurance, the next 15
years would have cost me twice as much as I was older.
Once people now get to Medicare age, all of the sudden all of
these fantastic offers for supplimentary insurance. All that they
never offered before. I will never pay a commercial insurance
company a penny ever again. Just my plain Medicare Parts A&B is
better insurance than they offered me before and for way more
less per month. Screw them.
Dave Smith
May 29, 2019, 12:41:55 PM5/29/19
to
care system to be communist and downright un-American. There area number
of western democracies that have wonderful health care systems that
treat everyone and spend less on health care than Americans. The
lobbyist for the for profit health care business have all sorts of
stories about wait times, and how others have to travel to the US for
treatment. They don't tell you about the Americans travelling for
medical procedures.
itsjoan...@webtv.net
May 29, 2019, 12:47:56 PM5/29/19
to
On Wednesday, May 29, 2019 at 9:54:41 AM UTC-5, Gary wrote:
Maybe that's because it's paid automatically each month through my bank. BUT
you don't have join AARP to check the prices of the plans they offer. How-
ever when I joined AARP it was a onetime fee for 5 years and that was a re-
duced fee since it was for more than one year.
>
> "U.S. Janet B." wrote:
> >
> > AARP
> > isn't so bad. You get a magazine. Throw it away when it shows up and
> > there is nothing else to bother you.
>
> "U.S. Janet B." wrote:
> >
> > AARP
> > isn't so bad. You get a magazine. Throw it away when it shows up and
> > there is nothing else to bother you.
>
> The only thing they also send is constant renewal letters with
> bills. I signed up again last year to check out the Medicare
> suppliment plan they sponsor. (United Health Care) I chose not to
> buy that so I'll probably drop my subscription again this year.
>
Hmmmmmm, I never get a 'renewal' letter nor bill from AARP/United Healthcare.
> bills. I signed up again last year to check out the Medicare
> suppliment plan they sponsor. (United Health Care) I chose not to
> buy that so I'll probably drop my subscription again this year.
>
Maybe that's because it's paid automatically each month through my bank. BUT
you don't have join AARP to check the prices of the plans they offer. How-
ever when I joined AARP it was a onetime fee for 5 years and that was a re-
duced fee since it was for more than one year.
U.S. Janet B.
May 29, 2019, 1:07:09 PM5/29/19
to
don't even get through to me. My husband brings in the mail, we sort
it for his and hers, junk stuff with our name gets shredded or the
label torn off and then thrown in the recycle. No bother.
Janet US
penm...@aol.com
May 29, 2019, 3:58:52 PM5/29/19
to
I have the AARP Medicare supplimental plan F. Its cost depends on
which state you're in. your age, and you must be enrolled in Medicare
parts A & B, plus you must be an ARRP member. Plan F gives the best
coverage in NYS. The Medicare part A & B is not very expensive, I
remember a little more than $100 deducted from my SS check each
month. Plan F costs a bit more than $500/yr. Membership in AARP is
negligible. some $25/yr.
What I know for sure is that I pay nothing for any doctor visits. even
Specialists. I pay nothing for lab work. I pay nothing for ER. In
hospital procedures are free. ARRP's mail order pharmacy, OPTUM Rx
charges very small copays and many drugs are free. It's my choice to
use Optum Rx or a local pharmacy, I use both. If it's a drug I need
right away like an antibiotic I go to the local Rite Aid, Mail order
can take a week to arrive but I find mail order works well for all my
regular Meds.
I used to get Medical Insurence for free from the company I worked for
but since ACA was instituted they stopped paying, most companys
stopped paying for retirees plans. Fortunately my company picks up
the tab for most of our short fall, they mail us a yearly check.
I've noticed that the prices of Rx drugs have been dropping for about
a year now.
penm...@aol.com
May 29, 2019, 5:20:44 PM5/29/19
to
don't get CoPay bills for drugs, they are automatically billed to...
our credit cards. We like United Health Care... and Optum Rx is very
good... excellent service and speedy. shipping is free and usually
arrives within 2-3 days. That magazine keeps us informed on the
latest in health care benefits., too bad the illiterate consider it
junk mail. Often how the MD writes your Rx determines cost, and some
may be free. Some drugs are considered maintenence drugs,they are
free because they keep people out of the ER... my albuterol neb
solution is free because my doctor includes a form with each 3 month
renewal, a savings of about $50/mo. Also a good MD knows which OTC
brand name meds have a generic Rx version, more savings for the
patient. Most allergy OTC neds have a generic Rx version, same for
acid reflux/heartburn; Omaprozole takes the place of Nexium and the
like, a lot less money. Also for OTC meds check Amazon. they sell
them in hospital size bulk for 1/3 the drug store price; Mucinex 12
hour tablets; 500/$200... buy them in 20 packs and see what they
cost.... save the receipts and take them off your income tax... the
IRS allows deductions for OTC meds for certain illnesses backed up
with your Rx drugs.
itsjoan...@webtv.net
May 29, 2019, 5:33:47 PM5/29/19
to
On Wednesday, May 29, 2019 at 4:20:44 PM UTC-5, Sheldon wrote:
> On Wed, 29 May 2019 09:47:50 -0700 (PDT), "itsjoan...@webtv.net"
> <itsjoan...@webtv.net> wrote:
>
> >Hmmmmmm, I never get a 'renewal' letter nor bill from AARP/United Healthcare.
> >Maybe that's because it's paid automatically each month through my bank. BUT
> >you don't have join AARP to check the prices of the plans they offer. How-
> >ever when I joined AARP it was a onetime fee for 5 years and that was a re-
> >duced fee since it was for more than one year.
>
> Ditto here. The only bill we get is when it's time to renew.
>
I don't even get a bill to renew, it's set up to be deducted from my checking
> On Wed, 29 May 2019 09:47:50 -0700 (PDT), "itsjoan...@webtv.net"
> <itsjoan...@webtv.net> wrote:
>
> >Hmmmmmm, I never get a 'renewal' letter nor bill from AARP/United Healthcare.
> >Maybe that's because it's paid automatically each month through my bank. BUT
> >you don't have join AARP to check the prices of the plans they offer. How-
> >ever when I joined AARP it was a onetime fee for 5 years and that was a re-
> >duced fee since it was for more than one year.
>
> Ditto here. The only bill we get is when it's time to renew.
>
account each month. I just have to remember to post it in my check register.
>
> We
> don't get CoPay bills for drugs, they are automatically billed to...
> our credit cards.
>
Those are automatically deducted from my checking account each times I order
> We
> don't get CoPay bills for drugs, they are automatically billed to...
> our credit cards.
>
medications.
>
> We like United Health Care... and Optum Rx is very
> good... excellent service and speedy. shipping is free and usually
> arrives within 2-3 days.
>
I've got Humana mail order pharmacy and will look into switching in September
> We like United Health Care... and Optum Rx is very
> good... excellent service and speedy. shipping is free and usually
> arrives within 2-3 days.
>
or October.
>
> That magazine keeps us informed on the
> latest in health care benefits., too bad the illiterate consider it
> junk mail.
>
I don't receive the magazine.
> That magazine keeps us informed on the
> latest in health care benefits., too bad the illiterate consider it
> junk mail.
>
>
> Most allergy OTC neds have a generic Rx version, same for
> acid reflux/heartburn; Omaprozole takes the place of Nexium and the
> like, a lot less money.
>
If you take an OTC medication for reflux/heartburn check out eBay. Sellers
> Most allergy OTC neds have a generic Rx version, same for
> acid reflux/heartburn; Omaprozole takes the place of Nexium and the
> like, a lot less money.
>
are a LOT cheaper than the drugstores. I've been getting an OTC Prilosec
for y.e.a.r.s from India. Six hundred capsules for less than $25.
col...@gmail.com
May 29, 2019, 5:49:29 PM5/29/19
to
I think Aetna has the cheapest medicare supplement plans.
itsjoan...@webtv.net
May 29, 2019, 5:52:11 PM5/29/19
to
On Wednesday, May 29, 2019 at 4:49:29 PM UTC-5, col...@gmail.com wrote:
>
> I think Aetna has the cheapest medicare supplement plans.
>
Give us some prices of the different plans. But what you pay in your state
>
> I think Aetna has the cheapest medicare supplement plans.
>
might not be what others pay in their states.
penm...@aol.com
May 29, 2019, 6:00:33 PM5/29/19
to
cancer travel to Sloan, nowhere else on the planet is better. My wife
had her artificial knees done in Manhattan and within a few months she
was golfing, biking, SKING, gardening, and doing everything else while
people she knows who had their knees done at the Albany hospitals
still can't get around without a walker after five years. My wife
never used a walker of crutchers. Nothing is better than the sports
medicine team at Lennox Hill hospital, Dr Roth is a magician with
knees, elbows, etc. She had both kneess replaced at the same time,
that's the only way the geometry can match, and why go thtough a 2nd
year of rehab. The entire surgery took four hours. The only position
that's still a bit painful for my wife is on her knees on a hard
floor, but absolutely no problem in bed and that's her favorite... in
fact we discussed that with Dr. Roth, he promised not to worry. He's
a funny guy, he said he'd supply all the orthropedic knee pads we
keeded.
Hank Rogers
May 29, 2019, 10:06:56 PM5/29/19
to
replaced when yoose took her in for new knees.
I know, yoose were only thinking about keeping her going while
kneeling to give yoose blow jobs.
col...@gmail.com
May 30, 2019, 12:11:03 PM5/30/19
to
A G supplement from Aetna is $113 here
itsjoan...@webtv.net
May 30, 2019, 12:35:01 PM5/30/19
to
On Thursday, May 30, 2019 at 11:11:03 AM UTC-5, col...@gmail.com wrote:
>
> A G supplement from Aetna is $113 here
>
A plan G supplement from AARP United Healthcare is $123 per month and that's
>
> A G supplement from Aetna is $113 here
>
with an ETF discount. But the rates are different from state to state.
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