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To His Credit, Trump Stays On Message

Here’s something new following the 2024 presidential election. Inauguration Day 2025 is unique in American history. Not because a former president is taking the oath of office. That happened in 1893, when President Grover Cleveland 22 became President Grover Cleveland 24. Rather, Inauguration Day 2025 is unique because, for the first time in American history, Inauguration Day will witness a change in presidents, and the incoming president—because of term limits under the Twenty-Second Amendment—may not serve out the term and be elected president again. You haven’t read ...

New Medicare Rates Can Influence Insurance Options

Question: I started collecting Social Security and signed up for Medicare this year. What happens in 2025? Answer: It is that time of year when lots of new information is announced. I am very pleased that we have the answers to these questions. It is useful to know what your premiums and other cost shares for Medicare will be when considering your insurance options. Social Security announced their 2025 Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) and the increase is 2.5%. That means your Social Security Benefit (gross amount) will go up by 2.5%. That becomes a $25 increase on a $1000 benefit, ...

Finding Coverage For Preferred Prescriptions

Question: My insurance doesn’t cover my Invokana in 2025. What should I do? Answer: Each year as you evaluate insurance products, one of the primary factors you need to consider is the prescription drug coverage. The insurance companies adjust their formularies each year. You should never assume that the drug coverage is going to be the same. The insurance companies of all types adjust the formularies to reflect the new years business model for them. Medications can be removed from the formulary. Medications also change within the formulary regarding the rules that apply to them. ...

Someone Is Watching Over Me

When I think about the things that have happened, I came to the conclusion that someone has been watching over me. I have had several mishaps with jewelry that have ended very well. First, I lost a pin given to me the year I graduated from college by the family that I babysat for. Since my last initial did not change, I was able to keep wearing it. One day I wore it to my volunteer duty at Warren General Hospital. Part way through the morning I realized the pin was no longer on my sweater. I looked everywhere I had been that morning with no luck. I headed for home very disappointed. I ...

At Last, The Election Is Over

It seems like eons ago when Joe Biden was still a candidate, and the election seemed over. After the June debate, it was clear that he could no longer articulate and lead a campaign for the Presidency. Biden eventually stepped aside, and endorsed his Vice President, Kamala Harris, to be the nominee in his stead. After that, we again had an election going on in the country. It has been an exhausting one. Just this past week, I read a news article full of advice from a psychiatrist as to how people should deal with election angst. Now, I expect that same person is providing advice as ...

Time For One Person, One Vote

There have been five U.S. Presidents who received the popular votes for U. S. president and didn’t end up winning the election. In both 2000 and 2016 Al Gore and Hillary Clinton won the popular vote and lost the presidency through the Electoral College, a system that first came about during the 18th century. I did not vote for either candidate, however I think the system needs to change. This is egregiously wrong. New York has 28 electoral votes, California has 54, Texas 40 and Florida has 30 as an example. A candidate must receive at least 270 electoral votes to win the ...