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TRADITIONAL MEDICARE AND WHAT IT CONSISTS OF? WHEN AND HOW TO ENROLL?
Wednesday, September 25, 2024
By James Barragán, The Texas Tribune
“In Texas visit, second gentleman Douglas Emhoff raises more than $1 million” was first published by The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan media organization that informs Texans — and engages with them — about public policy, politics, government and statewide issues.
The stop by the husband of presidential candidate Kamala Harris included a rally to boost local Democrats looking to flip seats in the Texas House.
Second Gentleman Douglas Emhoff raised more than $1 million at a San Antonio fundraiser for Kamala Harris presidential campaign Monday night, the largest presidential fundraiser in the city’s history.
San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg made the announcement at a reception hosted by Frank and Cecilia Herrera that was attended by prominent area Democrats like Henry Cisneros, a former San Antonio mayor and former U.S. Secretary of Housing and Development, State Sen. José Menéndez, and U.S. Rep. Greg Casar.
“We have to work, even here in Texas,” Emhoff told the guests at the fundraiser. “We can’t take any state off the map. We gotta make sure we’re doing the work here. And even if we can’t turn Texas blue this time around you have a good chance of sending [U.S. Rep.] Colin Allred to the Senate.”
Emhoff also said that voters could also make “serious changes” to the state by flipping some statehouse races and their statewide leaders.
He acknowledged that the presidential election was very close and urged the guests to knock on doors, register to vote and help raise more money for the campaign to continue its fight all over the electoral map.
Earlier in the day, Emhoff attended a rally organized by Texas Democrats in San Antonio. He stumped with down-ballot Texas Democrats and railed against Republican efforts that he said were “attacking the right to vote.”
“Under the guise of election integrity, they have made it harder to vote,” Emhoff said. “They know the only way they can win is if fewer people vote. … Texas, unfortu-
nately, has been ground zero for unchecked MAGA power grab.”
Emhoff, who was making his first visit to Texas since his wife, Vice President Kamala Harris, became the Democratic presidential nominee, said if Trump returned to the White House it would usher a national abortion ban, more inaction on mass shootings and policies that benefited only the wealthy.
But he sounded a note of confidence even as a New York Times/Siena Poll Monday morning showed Trump leading Harris in Arizona by five percentage points and also ahead in the battleground states of North Carolina and Georgia.
“I am really excited about Texas. Are you?” he said to applause from about 1,200 people in the gymnasium at the Candler Physical Education Center at San Antonio College. “Are we going to send my wife Kamala Harris to the White House?”
The rally included brothers Julián Castro, a former San Antonio mayor and U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, and U.S. Rep. Joaquin Castro of San Antonio.
The effort was part of the Texas Democratic Party’s “Texas Offense,” an effort to coordinate rallies and political resources from the top to the bottom of the ticket. Comedian and actress Cristela Alonzo and social media influencer and political activist Olivia Julianna also attended the event.
The Democratic speakers attacked Republican state officials for what they said were efforts to suppress the votes of people who do not align with their political views. They pointed to recent investigations by Attorney General Ken Paxton on Latino groups who work to register people to vote. The speakers urged the crowd to make their voice heard in November by casting ballots for Democrats.
Texas Democratic Party Chair Gilberto Hinojosa told the crowd that Republican officials like Attorney General Ken Paxton were “attacking the vote” because of the tight races for president and U.S. Senate.
“He knows they’re in trouble,” Hinojosa said.
Emhoff’s visit is a boost for Texas Democrats. National politicos may not see the state founded in 1986
as a battleground — despite the state party’s best efforts — but any boost to down-ballot candidates could help the minority party make up ground in state elections. It also gets those candidates in front of new potential voters.
Texas political leaders tried to energize the crowd through Emhoff’s visit.
“Texas is in play and if you need proof of that, we’ve got second gentleman Douglas Emhoff here,” Casar said.
The event also included Kristian Carranza and Laurel Jordan Swift, two San Antonio Democrats vying to unseat Republican incumbents in crucial statehouse races.
Republicans hold a majority in the Texas House and are likely to push for legislation that would allow for the use of public money to pay for private education at least in some way. The issue is a top priority for Republican Gov. Greg Abbott. Democrats are trying to make dents in the majority to hold the line against that type of legislation.
Carranza’s race against Republican John Lujan is seen as one of the top targets for Democrats and Swift is running for a seat that is vacant because moderate Republican incumbent, Steve Allison, was defeated in the primaries by Marc LaHood, a Republican challenger who is further to the right.
John Harrison, 72, of Kerrville who drove about an hour to attend the event with his wife Jo, said Emhoff’s visit showed that national Democrats were still throwing some support behind the state.
“It means they haven’t given up in Texas and that they can turn some races blue,” Harrison said. “I hope we can beat Cruz and Trump. It’ll be tough but still possible.”
This article originally appeared in The Texas Tribune at https://www.texastribune.org/2024/09/23/douglas-emhoff-san-antonio-fundraiser/.
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BY ANDRES OPPENHEIMER
The general reaction from both conservative and liberal media to the apparent Sept. 15 murder attempt against former president Donald Trump at his West Palm Beach golf course was pitiful. There were thousands of stories about possible Secret Service security failures — which is OK — but very few about the alarming spread of assault rifles that is emboldening potential assassins in America.
The suspected gunman, identified as Ryan W. Routh, 58, had a previous criminal record for illegal possession of an automatic rifle. He was hiding behind the bushes with an AK-47-style assault rifle nearly 500 yards away from where Trump was golfing.
Only a few weeks ago, on July 13, another gunman with an AR-style assault rifle had fired eight shots from a rooftop near where Trump was speaking in Butler, Pennsylvania. The gunman, 20-year-old Thomas Crooks, was shot and killed shortly thereafter by a Secret Service counter-sniper.
These types of assault rifles, which were banned in the United States from 1994 to 2004, have become the weapon of choice for would-be political assassins and mass murderers in the country. And their sales have been booming in recent years.
Experts say the rise of gun sales in general, and semi-automatic rifles in particular, is due to growing political polarization, personal security fears during the COVID-19 pandemic, concerns about mass shootings and worries about possible bans on assault weapons.
According to the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF,) an industry group that supports sales of these war-type
weapons, there are more than 24.4 million AR-15 and AK-style rifles in civilian hands in the United States.
“This is a truly significant figure that demonstrates – again – the popularity of this commonly-owned style of rifle,” NSSF President Joe Bartozzi gleefully announced when he released this figure for 2022, the last year for which statistics are available.
While sales of assault weapons peaked during the pandemic and have fallen somewhat since, they have skyrocketed over the past two decades, experts say. U.S. companies that manufacture these weapons used in some of the worst mass shootings have made more than $1 billion in revenue in the past decade, according to a recent investigation by the House Oversight and Reform Committee.
The Everytown for Gun Safety advocacy group has reported that between 2015 and 2022, mass shootings involving assault weapons that left four or more people dead resulted in more than twice as many deaths and left 23 times more people wounded than in attacks with less sophisticated guns.
There have been at least 2,373 mass shootings in the United States just in the last four years, according to the Gun Violence Archive research group.
And yet, despite the rise of mass shootings in schools and public places, and the most recent assassination attempts on Trump, the fact that gunmen are finding it increasingly easier to get hold of semi-automatic weapons is barely drawing any media attention.
Shooting people with a military-style assault weapon has become the new normal in America, or so it seems. The National Rifle Association, the gun lobby and Trump’s Republican party are getting away with the very dubious claim that the use of these military weapons by civilians is protected by the Second Amendment of the Constitution.
The U.S. Constitution proclaims “the right of the people to keep and bear arms,” but not the right to possess a nuclear weapon, or a bazooka. The Constitution referred to muskets and other manual firearms, not semi-automatic killing machines that did not even exist when the framers wrote it in 1787.
“There is a myth that Americans are uniquely violent, but that’s simply not true,” says Garen J. Wintemute, head of the University of California’s Center for Violence Prevention Research. Other wealthy industrialized countries have higher rates of assault and robbery, he adds.
“Where we are unique is in our rate of fatal violence. That is because we have a unique level of access to firearms, which change the outcome when violence occurs,” he concludes.
The gun lobby’s argument that Americans need these assault weapons for hunting is just as ridiculous. Do you really need a rifle that reloads by itself to kill a pigeon, or a deer? Traditional rifles are much more suitable for ethical hunting because they force hunters to make clean, accurate shots.
It’s time for the media to focus on the role of assault weapons in mass shootings and political violence, and for voters to elect candidates who support reinstating the 1994-2004 ban on assault weapons. It may not stop the ongoing carnage, but it would go a long way in saving many lives.
Edinburg is shining on the national stage! As part of National Hispanic Heritage Month, the talented students of Edinburg Consolidated Independent School District’s Mariachi and PALMS winners had the incredible opportunity to showcase their artistry in Washington, D.C. Their journey included an unforgettable performance at the White House, followed by another outstanding show at the Spanish Ambassador’s residence.
Their extraordinary talent and dedi-
cation have made the Rio Grande Valley proud, highlighting the rich cultural heritage of our community in front of national and international audiences.
And tonight, these remarkable young artists will take the spotlight once again as featured performers at the prestigious National Hispanic Foundation for the Arts Gala. Their hard work and passion for the arts continue to represent the Valley with pride, proving that our local talent can stand tall on any stage.
The Mission Police and Fire Departments recently participated in an essential ATV driving training, conducted by DHR Health’s Level 1 Trauma Center. This specialized training is crucial for equipping our first responders with the skills they need to safely operate ATVs during their routine duties, especially in areas where quick and efficient response is critical.
Through this hands-on training, our police officers and firefighters enhanced their knowledge and abilities, ensuring they are always ready to serve the community with the highest standards of care and protection. Whether responding to emergencies in remote locations or navigating through difficult terrain, these new skills will play a vital role in keeping Mission residents safe.
A big thank you to the DHR Health team for their collaboration and commitment to helping our first responders stay prepared and safe while performing their duties.
Strengthening Commerce McAllen missioner Commissioner Vaca, Tawil Robert Grande
The trip was new connections, relationships culture, government.
City and shared mark retailer countries. La Plaza The ening tourism, Hull’s commitment between
Strengthening International Trade & Commerce Ties
McAllen Mayor Javier Villalobos, Commissioner District 4, Rodolfo “Rudy” Castillo, Commissioner District 6, Pepe Cabeza de Vaca, and McAllen City Manager Isaac J. Tawil hosted Consul General of Ireland Robert Hull on his first visit to the Rio Grande Valley.
The purpose of Consul General Hull’s trip was to learn more about the RGV, forge new connections, and strengthen existing relationships with leaders in business, culture, arts, non-profit organizations and government.
City officials discussed economic growth and shared the anticipated opening of Primark an Irish clothing leading international retailer with more than 400 stores in 14 countries. The first Texas store will open at La Plaza later this year.
The City of McAllen continues strengthening diplomatic ties to promote trade, tourism, and investment. Consul General Hull’s visit is a testament to our unwavering commitment to fostering understanding between communities
Great news for pet owners in Mission! The Pet Deposit Assistance Program is available to help qualifying residents with up to $350 to cover pet deposit fees. This initiative is designed to make it easier for families to keep their furry companions when facing rental costs.
To apply, visit the official program page at missiontexas.us and gather all the required documents. Once your application is ready, you can submit it by email to mypet@ missiontexas.us or drop it off in person at the Health Department located at 117 E. Tom Landry Street, Mission, TX 78572.
For any further questions, feel free to contact (956) 580-8692 or (956) 580-8741.
This is a wonderful opportunity to ensure your pets stay part of your family, so don’t hesitate to apply!
Governor Greg Abbott announced that 541 Texas public schools have been awarded the Purple Star Campus Designation for the 2024-2025 school year. Established by Governor Abbott in 2019, these designations, a 202% increase from the previous year, reflect Texas schools’ unwavering dedication to support the nearly 200,000 military-connected students and their families across Texas.
“Texas is forever grateful for the selfless sacrifice our brave veterans and their families made in service to our state and our nation,” said Governor Abbott. “We will always support our heroes, including the hundreds of thousands of military-connected students attending our public schools across Texas, and this impressive 202% increase in designations demonstrates just that. With the Purple Star Campus Designation, schools are recognized for their continued dedication to meet the unique educational needs of military-connected students and their families. Texas will always ensure that the men and women who served in our nation’s military and their families have the tools and skills they need to succeed in the greatest state in the greatest country in the history of the world.”
“The significant growth in Purple Star Campus Designations reflects the exceptional efforts of Texas schools to create a supportive environment for military-connected students,” said Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath. “Our military families sacrifice so much, and it’s essential that our schools support their children in every way possible to ensure they have the best educational experience while in Texas public schools.”
In 2019, Governor Abbott signed Senate Bill 1557 into law, establishing the Purple Star Campus Designation which is awarded to schools that demonstrate a significant commitment to providing comprehensive support for students from military families. These campuses must meet rigorous criteria, including establishing a campus-based military liaison, creating a dedicated webpage with resources for military-connected families, instituting a campus transition program for military-connected students, and supporting a military family assistance initiative.
All Texas public school campuses are eligible to receive a Purple Star Designation, regardless of the size of the military-connected student population. Applications are accepted annually, with the designation lasting two years.
View the list of 2024-2025 Purple Star Campus Designees here.
The City of Brownsville’s Department of Health, Wellness, and Animal Services is doubling down on its efforts to reduce the local mosquito population as part of its ongoing public health initiative. Following the completion of larviciding measures, the department has now begun mosquito spraying, which is expected to continue over the next two to three days, weather permitting.
Timing of Mosquito Spraying To maximize the effectiveness of the spraying, treatments will take place during the evening and early morning hours. Residents are encouraged to stay indoors during these times to minimize any potential exposure.
Weather-Related Updates As weather can affect spraying schedules, the department will notify the public of any changes in the treatment plan due to shifting conditions. The City is committed to ensuring that these efforts are carried out with minimal disruption while maintaining the safety and well-being of the community.
Keeping Public Health a Priority Mosquito control plays a crucial role in reducing the risk of mosquito-borne diseases, and the City of Brownsville is taking every precaution to protect residents. The mosquito control initiative is an integral part of the City’s dedication to safeguarding public health and safety.
For any concerns or more information about the mosquito control efforts, please contact the City’s helpline at (956) 546HELP.
Stay informed, stay indoors during spraying times, and help us keep Brownsville safe from the threat of mosquito-borne diseases.
TheUniversity of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) Department of Intercollegiate Athletics unveiled on Tuesday its 2023-24 annual report, detailing the successes of the 2023-24 academic year in areas including academic excellence, community service, historic support, student and fan engagement, hosting conference championships, rallying the entire Valley, competition, facility enhancements, licensing, media and social media reach, conference affiliation, and more.
The complete report can be found online at GoUTRGV.com and on issuu.
Some of the highlights include:
• Posting a department record cumulative GPA of 3.35.
• Ranking sixth in NCAA Division I in community service.
• Record ticket, corporate sponsorship, and fundraising revenue.
• Over 120,000 fans in attendance across all sports, setting records for multiple teams.
• Significant progress in execution of over $160 million in facility enhancements.
• Expansion in the consumables space.
Below is a letter from UTRGV Vice President and Director of Athletics Chasse Conque that highlights some of this past year’s accomplishments found in the annual report:
Greetings from UTRGV Athletics! I want to thank you for your interest in and support
of UTRGV Athletics. As I begin my sixth year at UTRGV, I am enthusiastic about our future and proud of the young men and women that represent you, our university, and the Rio Grande Valley through Division I competition.
We are blessed with a winning formula at UTRGV starting with President Guy Bailey, a supportive leadership team, a dedicated group of coaches, talented student-athletes, and a region that is cheering us on and investing in us every step of the way. Collectively, we are building something special in the Rio Grande Valley.
This was a historic year for UTRGV as we secured one of the 40 largest gifts in the history of college athletics – $20 million from Robert and Janet Vackar. In recognition of their generosity, our football stadium in Edinburg, which the university also acquired this year, will be named Robert & Janet Vackar Stadium. We are excited to see the stadium rocking throughout our inaugural 2025 season as fans have already placed 6,000 season ticket deposits!
The facilities for Vaqueros football will be unmatched as we also broke ground on the 45,000-square foot Vaqueros Performance Center in November and completed the first of two practice fields in June.
Speaking of facilities, since 2022, UTRGV Athletics has embarked on $160 million in facility upgrades impacting all 18 programs. Earlier this year, we opened the brand-new Vaqueros Golf Center at Champion Lakes in McAllen, completed the addition of the new operations centers at the UTRGV Soccer and Track & Field Complex, undertook
significant upgrades to UTRGV Baseball Stadium, and finished interior renovations at the UTRGV Fieldhouse while also beginning work on the new fieldhouse atrium. By 2026, every program will benefit from a new or completely renovated facility for our student-athletes, coaches, and fans to enjoy.
A record number of fans enjoyed our upgraded amenities as we welcomed over 120,000 fans through our gates across all sports, including a program record 62,132 for baseball, ranking 39th in NCAA Division I. Our best attended event of the year was in December, when women’s basketball hosted Texas at Bert Ogden Arena in front of a program-record 6,591 fans - the largest crowd to ever watch a women’s basketball game in the Valley and the second most to ever watch a college basketball game in the Valley.
Our student-athletes continue to excel academically, posting a department-record cumulative grade point average of 3.35 and combining for 128 academic all-conference honors. In addition, we achieved a record-high NCAA Academic Progress Rate (APR) of 990.
When it comes to community service, I could not be more proud of our young people. Our student-athletes combined to rank sixth in the nation in total community service, completing 5,042 hours, while seven programs ranked in the top 10 in their respective sports. As part of our service, we took our commitment to the entire Rio Grande Valley community seriously, hosting youth clinics in Brownsville and Harlingen and hosting the conference tennis tournaments in Harlingen.
By Amanda A. Taylor-Uchoa
UTRGV continues to set the standard for excellence — not just in education, but also in creating a welcoming, supportive work environment.
This year, the university is recognized as one of the best places to work in higher education, according to the prestigious Great Colleges to Work For program.
The results were released today, Friday, Sept. 20, in a special insert to The Chronicle of Higher Education, and are based on a survey of 216 colleges and universities. Only 75 institutions achieved “Great College to Work For” recognition for specific best practices and policies, placing UTRGV among a select group of top-performing schools in the country.
With record enrollment this semester of more than 34,000 students, UTRGV competes in the large university (more than 10,000) category, where it excelled in three key areas:
Job Satisfaction & Support: Providing employees with the resources they need to succeed in their roles, including opportunities for growth and professional development.
Compensation & Benefits: Offering a competitive benefits package that includes comprehensive healthcare, retirement plans, and support for work-life balance.
Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging: Implementing numerous initiatives to foster a welcoming environment for employees regardless of roles or backgrounds while providing a deep commitment to promoting a sense of belonging and value among all UTRGV’s employees in all roles and backgrounds.
This recognition is particularly meaningful because it is based on direct feedback from the university’s employees.
UTRGV President Guy Bailey said this recognition as a Great College to Work For is a testament to the commitment and passion of the people who work at UTRGV.
“Feedback from our employee surveys highlights the positive culture we’ve cultivated,” he said, “one that values hard work, family, opportunity and gratitude. It’s an honor that reflects our ongoing efforts to create an environment where every team member feels supported and empowered.
“This achievement is not just a milestone for our university, but also a reflection of the vibrant community we serve and our collective mission to enhance the future of the Rio Grande Valley,” Bailey said.
Bailey said the high marks UTRGV earned in the three key areas underscore the university’s commitment to creating a workplace where employees feel supported, valued and empowered.
Looking for your next career opportunity? Join us at Careers & Coffee—the ultimate job fair where you can connect with over 2,000 job openings, all while enjoying freshly brewed coffee. This event is designed to help you take your career to the next level, whether you’re just starting out or looking to advance in your current field.
Why Attend?
At Careers & Coffee, you’ll have the chance to:
Network with industry professionals Expand your connections in various sectors Access free career services such as: A professional headshot Interview counseling Resume assistance
These valuable resources will help you stand out in today’s competitive job market, and best of all—everything is free!
Event Details:
Date: Wednesday, October 16, 2024
Time: 10 AM to 4 PM
Location: Brownsville Events Center – 1
Event Center
Cost: Registration is free! Secure your spot at btxcareersandcoffee.com.
This is your chance to meet with hiring professionals, explore a variety of job opportunities, and get personalized guidance to boost your career. Don’t miss out! Partnerships That Make It Possible This event is proudly brought to you by a partnership between the Greater Brownsville Incentives Corporation and the City of Brownsville. Together, we’re committed to fostering career growth and supporting our community.
So, what are ou waiting for? Grab your resume, practice your elevator pitch, and get ready to jumpstart your career at Careers & Coffee. See you there!
For 15 years, South Texas College and the Aurora House Center Foundation have fostered a groundbreaking partnership, educating more than 4,000 nursing students in hospice and palliative care.
This unique collaboration, one of the few of its kind in the country, provides STC student nurses with exceptional training in compassionate communication and care for individuals facing terminal illnesses and for their families.
“This is a very special program that helps future nurses understand what patients and their families go through. It’s such a rewarding feeling to help people find closure in their lives,” said Dr. Rafael Rodriguez, founder of the Aurora House Foundation.
“We cover everything from managing both physical and psychological pain to shedding light on what end-of-life care entails. Even if these students don’t go into hospice care, they will encounter death at some point in their careers, and we want them to be prepared.”
Located in Weslaco, the Aurora House Foundation is a special care facility designed to make patients feel as if they were home. Rodriguez opened the facility 20 years ago when he saw the need for a dignified place for hospice patients to find care and compassion in their final months of life.
“We named it Aurora because it means ‘the dawn’ or ‘the light of a new day,’” added Rodriguez. “This facility is meant to be the light for those who are approaching the end of life, offering dignity, compassion and respect.”
In 2010, when hospice care was not yet a priority in the nursing profession, Rodriguez reached out to STC, seeking to raise awareness and educate nurses from the early stages of their careers. This initiative would, a few years later, become mandatory training across the country.
“We started with a cohort of 45 students who attended a comprehensive seminar
and later completed clinical rotations at the facility. The success was so significant that we began offering this program to all our students every semester,” said Jayson Valerio, DNP, STC’s Regional Health Care liaison.
“It aligned perfectly because, a few years later, the National Council of State Boards of Nursing mandated that hospice care be included in every nursing school curriculum. We were already ahead of the curve.”
As part of the initiative, the nonprofit organization established a Center for Palliative Care Education, which welcomes an average of 150 STC nursing students every semester, changing the lives of many who discover a calling in hospice care.
For Kaitlyn Ochoa, who is currently in her second semester of the Associate Degree in Nursing program at STC, the experience has inspired her to seek a job in a retirement home.
“We had the opportunity to visit earlier this year and learn from their nurses and listen to their patients, some of whom were completely alone,” she said. “We talked to them and gave them the chance to express their feelings. They deserve all the help and support they need, and it’s important for us to let them know we’re here to provide comfort.”
Set to graduate in December 2025, Ochoa is now inspired to work with the elderly, who often receive palliative care.
“It’s important to take an interest in hospice care and learn how to provide comfort and support during these patients’ struggles. While some may view it as sad, I find it deeply rewarding to be there for them,” she said. “It was a great experience for me because now I know it’s what I want to do when I graduate.”
Rodriguez noted that Ochoa’s story is just one of many that highlight the profound impact of treating patients with terminal illnesses and underscore the significance of the collaboration with STC.
“Not only are we transforming the lives of our patients, but we’re also shaping the careers of future nurses,” he said. “It all began because STC believed in our mission. Together, we spearheaded a movement that would later become a national effort. STC was a pioneer in this field, and we couldn’t be prouder of our ongoing partnership and the positive impact it will continue to have for years to come.”
For more information on STC’s Nursing and Allied Health programs, visit southtexascollege.edu.
The Museum of South Texas History is ending its traveling exhibit, “Labeling History: A Look into the Pease Collection,” Friday, Oct. 4.
This traveling exhibit examines the history of this collection within an 11-panel exhibit. The first four panels tell the story of crate labels, which became popular in the early 1900s when there was a need to differentiate farms and packing sheds. Certain panels tell of the journey the Pease took as collectors. Other panels show how to identify and analyze the labels that use certain terminology, stamps and zip codes. And, a group of seven panels focus on historical points such as the story of the citrus industry and the rise of the Magic Valley.
“Labeling History: A Look into the Pease Collection” traveling exhibit is included in the museum’s regular admission fees. This exhibit is free to temporarily display at any business or organization. For more information, please contact Curator of Exhibits Jenarae Bautista at 956-383-6911.
The Museum of South Texas History is accredited by the American Alliance of Museums. It is located downtown Edinburg at 200 North Closner Boulevard on the Hidalgo County Courthouse square. Founded in 1967 as the Hidalgo County Historical Museum in the 1910 Hidalgo County Jail, the museum has grown over the decades through a series of expansions to occupy a full city block. In 2003, following the completion of a 22,500 square foot expansion, the museum was renamed the Museum of South Texas History to better reflect its regional scope. Today, the museum preserves and presents the borderland heritage of South Texas and northeastern Mexico through its permanent collection and the Margaret H. McAllen Memorial Archives and exhibits spanning prehistory through the 20th century. For more information about MOSTHistory, including becoming a FRIEND, visit MOSTHistory. org, like us on Facebook and Instagram, follow on Twitter, find on YouTube or call +1-956-383-6911.
MARTA JIMÉNEZ
INDEPENDENT INSURANCE AGENT
5500 N. MCCOLL RD STE A OFF TELF 956-631-2202 CELL 956-467-6994
In my 14 years working with Medicare plans and having the opportunity to help thousands of beneficiaries in their decisions, I have seen many people approaching their retirement stage, with the expectation that everything will be simpler and more affordable when it comes to talking about their health coverage, and they find themselves with this new and important Medicare topic.
It can be overwhelming and confusing to make decisions because of the novelty of the topic, the high volume of information available and because there is a lot of misinformation in the market.
Therefore, I consider it essential to know the details firsthand, before making decisions.
I am Marta Jimenez, an independent agent specialized in Medicare supplement plans, Medicare Advantage and Prescription Plans. I do not work for Social Security or any Government Agency.
I am going to share some definitions of important concepts, to better understand Medicare.
I will also discuss the most frequently asked questions that clients ask me and that may answer or clarify some of your questions or doubts
Medicare is the Federal health insurance that we can access in our retirement stage, starting at age 65, if you are an American citizen or legal resident, and you have paid Medicare taxes during your working life.
Paying Medicare taxes during your working life allows you to accumulate credits or points each year, (Maximum 4 points or credits per year). We need to accumulate a minimum of 40 credits during our retirement stage, to qualify for Medicare.
Some people will be able to access Medicare before age 65, through an approved disability case.
Other people who have not reported or paid Medicare taxes, could obtain the benefit through their spouse.
As you see, Medicare is an acquired right, for all the years worked, paying Medicare taxes and once you qualify you will be able to enjoy its protection.
Before getting into the subject, it is important to know some basic concepts that will help us better understand the topic:
Deductible: It is an amount that you must pay out of pocket, at the beginning of the coverage, before your plan begins to pay
any expenses.
For example, in Medicare Part B the client has a deductible of 240.00 dollars once a year, which you will pay at the beginning of each year, before the plan begins to cover you.
Copayment or Copay: contribution or payment that the client makes, at the time of receiving the service, it will be a specific payment, for example, 10.00 dollars when seeing the primary doctor.
Coinsurance: It is the percentage that the client is responsible for paying, after covering the deductible. The coinsurance is a portion, a percentage of what your plan pays for the service in question.
For example, Medicare pays 80% of doctor visits and the client is responsible for 20% coinsurance.
Premium:
This is the price that will be paid monthly for the coverage or plan. For example, the standard monthly premium for Medicare Part B is currently $174.70.
Medicare Parts
Traditional Medicare as it is commonly called, is made up of two parts:
1- Medicare Part A
2- Medicare Part B
1- Medicare Part A
Medicare Part A covers 80% of hospital expenses while we are hospitalized. Medicare Part A also covers nursing services while we are hospitalized in the rehabilitation center.
If we have accumulated 40 credits, when we turn 65, the premium for Part A will be $0.00, we will not pay an additional premium for Part A. The client will be responsible for 20% and the deductibles.
Currently, the deductible for Part A is $1,632.00, for a period of 60 days. The latter implies that we could pay the Medicare Part A deductible more than once a year, if we use the hospital more than once.
If a person were to be hospitalized for more than 60 consecutive days, he or she would begin to pay $408.00 per day, starting on day 61 until day 90 and $816.00 per day starting on day 91 and up to 60 more days, which makes up the total lifetime reserve
to use in the hospital for each Medicare beneficiary.
After day 150 in the hospital, the client will pay 100% of the hospital cost.
As you can see, hospital expenses could become very high, so it is important to consider adding additional plans such as Medicare supplements or Medicare Advantage, to reduce the risks of extraordinary expenses.
Sumary of Patient Costs for Medicare Part A when admitted to the Hospital:
Time
Day 1 to 60 Day 61 to 90 Day 91 to 150
Starting on day 150 and more 0.00 coverage, the client will be responsible for 100% of the expenses in the Hospital.
Please note that these copayments and deductibles apply when people are hospitalized in the Hospital.
If, on the other hand, the client has an outpatient surgery or procedure, entering and leaving the same day, the 20% copayments and Medicare Part B deductible will apply.
2-Medicare Part B
Medicare Part B covers 80% of the services of doctors, outside the hospital, Nurses at home (Home Health), outpatient surgeries in the hospital (outpatient care) and some preventive services.
The client will be responsible for 20% and the deductible once per year. Currently in 2024 the Part B deductible is $240.00.
Medicare Part B requires a monthly premium payment, which will usually be deducted from the social security retirement check.
If the person is not yet retired or does not have a social security check, they will have the opportunity to pay the Part B premium directly to Medicare.
Currently in 2024 the standard monthly premium for Part B is $174.70.
In summary, Medicare Part A and Part B only cover 80% of medical services, the client will be responsible for 20% of any event and/or the corresponding deductibles.
To be continued in next Wednesday’s edition
