Something New That Irks Me

scipper77

Commander
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Sep 30, 2008
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Re: Something New To IRK Me

Re: Something New To IRK Me

There are so many things I can't say right now.
 

Philip_G

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Apr 6, 2010
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Re: Something New To IRK Me

Re: Something New To IRK Me

If you qualify for medicaid.. I really don't have a problem with a 60 minute a month plan.
 

Bob_VT

Moderator & Unofficial iBoats Historian
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Re: Something New To IRK Me

Re: Something New To IRK Me

My wife works for the Womens Shelter and Verizon will provide a refurbished phone for free with 60 minutes on it. Even a phone w/o any carrier plan will call 911. I think it could be a helpful plan if administered the right way......... IMO it is not really any different then any other "aid" program. I have turned my old phones in just for that reason....... I will not use them again.
 

JB

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Re: Something New To IRK Me

Re: Something New To IRK Me

I have 5 RNs among my descendants. Medicaid patients are mostly elderly and of very little means. The ability to call for help rather than become critical or dead saves the public a lot of bux.

I, personally, think a 911 only phone would cover 90% or more of valid cases, but daughter #3 agrees with the 60 minute plan. She was an ER nurse for about 20 years.

Her point: They save lives and money.
 

ezmobee

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Joined
Mar 26, 2007
Messages
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Re: Something New To IRK Me

Re: Something New To IRK Me

I agree, it's not like we're giving them an iphone. This is really no different than any of the other utility bill aid programs.
 

wifisher

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Mar 9, 2011
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Re: Something New To IRK Me

Re: Something New To IRK Me

A 60 min. plan allows them to call and set up appointments and rides for care. They might otherwise go to the more costly emergency room via ambulance for even minor problems. You can pay for a whole lot of cell minutes for the cost of even one ambulance ride.

It also allows those that are of working age to seek jobs, and list a callback number. Which may get them off of medicaid!

Overall, I think we waste a lot more money on more useless things, so I won't whine about this one.
 

Philip_G

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Re: Something New To IRK Me

Re: Something New To IRK Me

Medicaid patients are mostly elderly and of very little means.

I think once you crack 65 you switch over to medicare regardless of means.
edit: huh, googled it, guess you can be over 65 and on medicaid, didn't know that.
 

partskenn

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Jan 23, 2011
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Re: Something New To IRK Me

Re: Something New To IRK Me

Sounds like a better idea than a lot of things we waste tax money on.
 

WIMUSKY

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Re: Something New To IRK Me

Re: Something New To IRK Me

Medicare I would have no problem with. Medicaid, I'm torn. Just like disability and welfare, I'm sure there's plenty of abuses. I guess in 2010 a crime org. scammed Medicaid for 100mil. I'm sure Medicare is abused too, but shouldn't be as much since you have to be 65+. Doctors are probably the biggest abusers of Medicare......
 

avenger79

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Re: Something New To IRK Me

Re: Something New To IRK Me

here in the wonderful highest paying welfare state in the country (ok one of the highest)you can get a free Samsung phone with 250 minutes per month, free texting . no credit check, no bills,

yeah I love paying for them to have a better phone plan then I have. some day I think I'll quit my job and start living the good life.

https://www.safelinkwireless.com/EnrollmentPublic/home.aspx
 

MTboatguy

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Re: Something New To IRK Me

Re: Something New To IRK Me

Boy, I am on disability and the VA never offered me a free phone! That said, I can see where it would be a benefit to certain deserving parties..I know we bought one of the life alert systems for my father-in-law before he passed away and those things are not cheap, it was around $800 upfront and then $30 per month...so I can see where a cell phone would be more cost effective..
 

WIMUSKY

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Re: Something New To IRK Me

Re: Something New To IRK Me

here in the wonderful highest paying welfare state in the country (ok one of the highest)you can get a free Samsung phone with 250 minutes per month, free texting . no credit check, no bills,

yeah I love paying for them to have a better phone plan then I have. some day I think I'll quit my job and start living the good life.

https://www.safelinkwireless.com/EnrollmentPublic/home.aspx

Thanks, I didn't need to hear that...........

Boy, I am on disability and the VA never offered me a free phone! That said, I can see where it would be a benefit to certain deserving parties..I know we bought one of the life alert systems for my father-in-law before he passed away and those things are not cheap, it was around $800 upfront and then $30 per month...so I can see where a cell phone would be more cost effective..

Agree......
 

bassman284

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Re: Something New To IRK Me

Re: Something New To IRK Me

Where to start?

First, this service has nothing to do with Medicaid or welfare other than the fact that people on Medicaid or welfare are likely by default eligible for discounted phone service subsidized by the Universal Service Fund. The USF is funded by contributions from telecommunications carriers. The carriers are not required to, but often do, pass the cost of this "contribution" on to their customers. Hence the line item on your phone that reads "Federal USF charge/fee/etc." Carriers apply to state utility commissions to become eligible for the subsidy.

Land line carriers generally provide a discount on monthly service where cell phone providers generally provide free minutes equivalent to the subsidy amount, usually 68 minutes although some provide more. Cell phone users have the option of buying more minutes. No free texting that I could find.

Link has some info about the USF.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Universal_Service_Fund
 

SigSaurP229

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Oct 1, 2008
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Re: Something New To IRK Me

Re: Something New To IRK Me

More free stuff that I get to pay for. I didn't know I was supposed to provide low income people with phones too. 10 years ago when I got laid off from my job I applied for a state funded transitional health care, basically 3 months because I couldn't afford $650 per month for COBRA after just being laid off. I was denied the reason given I was to young, and had made to much money previously. Oh Yeah my ethnicity standard caucasian male was brought into it. Yep I have paid my taxes I always pay my taxes, we are just one of those middle class families you hear about. For 8 months I watched the neighbor with 4 kids who lived next door sit around and not work and go to the methadone clinic every day which TennCare paid for. His wife worked 9.00 per hour they get there tax return back and it is almost $7,000 so what do they do book a trip to Disney (guess they should have paid their rent they have since been evicted).:facepalm: I have no sympathy I have watched to many people milk and abuse the system. I am tired of providing my sister and I had a discussion about this why should we provide a cell phone for lower income people it isn't the governments responsibility and why should I pay the tax on my cell phone plan for it?

Even if we do they should be old recycled phones that you can't do anything but call 911 on.

RANT OFF.
 

JB

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Re: Something New To IRK Me

Re: Something New To IRK Me

I sympathize with your rant, SigSauer, but don't see what it has to do with this topic. Please reread the OP. This has to do only with Medicaid patients.

We must be careful not to get into the "controversial social issues" area, gents, or this will go ZAP.
 

Cofe

Lieutenant Commander
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Apr 23, 2009
Messages
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Re: Something New That Irks Me

This is to clarify definitions.

Medicare = Age based for care.

Medicaid = Income based for care. Age does not matter.

A person can qualify for both if age and income qualifications are met.
 

SigSaurP229

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Oct 1, 2008
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Re: Something New To IRK Me

Re: Something New To IRK Me

I sympathize with your rant, SigSauer, but don't see what it has to do with this topic. Please reread the OP. This has to do only with Medicaid patients.

We must be careful not to get into the "controversial social issues" area, gents, or this will go ZAP.

You are correct JB I was a little out of line. Just kinda rubs me the wrong way.
 
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