ricklev

18 hours ago, GypsyT said:

Just received this from Joe, the Prez. Don't know if it helps anyone:

 

"With Open Enrollment for Medicare around the corner, I want to make sure you're aware of historic changes to Medicare that are lowering health care costs and ensuring that every American has the peace of mind that comes with quality, affordable health care.

Because Medicare benefits are getting stronger, it is more important than ever to look at your drug coverage for 2025 during Medicare Open Enrollment and make sure you are enrolled in the Medicare Part D plan that is best for you. You can learn more about these benefits and review your options at Medicare.gov starting in early October. Medicare Open Enrollment runs from October 15th through December 7th.

These historic reforms are a result of the Inflation Reduction Act that I signed into law and that Vice President Harris cast the tie-breaking vote to secure. This new law gives Medicare the power to negotiate lower prescription drug prices, like the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs does on behalf of our nation's veterans and servicemembers.

Medicare has been able to cap the cost of insulin for seniors with diabetes at $35 a month for each covered insulin instead of as much as $400 a month. Recommended vaccines, like those to treat shingles, are free for people with Medicare prescription drug coverage.

Starting in January 2025, your total out-of-pocket costs for prescription drugs will be capped at $2,000 a year, no matter how expensive your prescription drugs are. That means you will not pay more than $2,000 per year on prescription drugs covered under Medicare prescription drug coverage, or Part D — that includes expensive prescription drugs to treat cancer, chronic illnesses, and more.

And if you have had high drug costs in 2024 and have reached what's called the catastrophic coverage phase, you won't have to pay any more out of pocket.

These reforms not only save seniors money, they also save money for American taxpayers. In fact, taxpayers are expected to save $160 billion over the next decade because Medicare is now able to negotiate drug prices alongside other reforms — and we're just getting started.

In addition to these cost-saving benefits that are in effect in 2025, Medicare recently announced that it has reached agreement with pharmaceutical companies for new, lower prices for ten of the most expensive and most frequently used prescription drugs in Medicare. These new, lower prices will go into effect in 2026, and Medicare will continue to negotiate prices for additional drugs each year for the foreseeable future.

These are just some of the ways my Administration has worked to help you save money on your health care costs and to provide a little more breathing room for you and your families.

Vice President Harris and I believe that health care should be a right, not a privilege. I encourage you to take advantage of these new, lower-cost benefits as part of stronger, better Medicare coverage that you deserve."

 

It's an oddity of life that many who received that letter will still vote against their own interests to elect the very people who have no intention to expand their benefits or genuinely work to make Medicare better.  

A friend of mine has a Non-B visa with a 1 year extension.  He had to return to the USA for some family matters but is still working online for the Thai bank he works for.  It seems like I once read somewhere that if you remain out of Thailand for more than 180 days your extension will be cancelled and you have to start the process over again.  I believe he has a two year work permit and one year extension.  He will be returning before the extension expires.  Is that true or am I misremembering. 🙂

I buy both lager and dark in cans all the time at Tops Central Silom and Tops Central Chidlom.  

Seems to me that your masters want you to focus on immigration so you don't focus on the fact that you are their slaves.  

28 minutes ago, RSD1 said:

A moron with a reach far greater than yours and who can influence millions of Trump voters to feel embarrassed to vote for Trump. 

Good!  

First time I ever watched Rogan, although I have heard of him.  I didn't realize he was a moron.  Go figure.  

I sure wish Kamala had looked at him and said, 

Players got to play!

Thanks for the suggestions and links.  I still hope to find a recommendation for a shop but I might give it doing it myself a try.  The soundsticks are open now anyway as the glue has failed.  Great sound, looks cool, but so damn poorly made!

13 hours ago, Crazy Noobie said:

Instead of going the flower direction. I use a Disposable CBD Vape which is THC-free. The brand is "CBD Monsta".  I use the 500 mg CBD. I take a few puffs at night and sleep like a baby. And it relieves me of all joint pain, too. It comes in assorted strains. I buy the OG Kush. Most major Cannabis places will sell it. I usually go to a place called, GO-Green to buy my stuff. Give it a try, I think it is what will help you.

Thanks.  Is that GO-Green in Chiang Mai?  Google is not giving me anything about CBD Monsta either.  I would like to give it a try.  Any further details would be appreciated.  

14 hours ago, RSD1 said:

See the post below. Bangkok Kush is a reliable source. Take any of their mid-grade strains on their website link here: https://bkkushhh.com/product-category/mid-grade 

 

All the ones in the 20-25 Baht per gram price range will all be good for a first time user because they won’t be too strong on the THC side. You can choose any of them: Khalifa Mints, Radical Juice, Space Cookies, Candyman, etc, take your pick. Or get a gram or two of a few different ones to try out a few of them since cost per gram is so low. 

 

You can order from them online and have it delivered. Not sure if they have a minimum order requirement, but they might charge a small delivery fee on small orders.
 

You will probably end up spending no more than a few hundred Baht in total. You’re fortunate to be in Thailand where there are lots of inexpensive weed options. 

 

 

Thanks.  I ordered a few strains to try.  

Anyone know where I can get the satellite speakers repaired on Harman Kardon Soundsticks 3.  I once had it done on a different set at Amorn in Chinatown, but they no longer can.   

11 hours ago, stoner said:

 

Apparently he is still sleeping from your advice.

It was not the advice I am seeking.  

Looks like I will need to mail the direct deposit form and possibly other documents to the Federal Benefits Unit at the US Embassy in the Philippines.  

What Thai Post service is best for this.  Is it necessary to use EMS?  I am not sure if EMS is as expensive as sending docs to the USA?

3 hours ago, patman30 said:

buy a decent cordless leaf blower

This makes such good sense! 

I don't know anything about weed really.   I would like to try some to help me relax and sleep better.  Any suggestions on what strain to buy and where to buy it in Bangkok?  Approximate cost for a gram?

I stopped by a shop on Saladeng Soi 1 that someone recommended to me and they said they don't sell weed by the single gram and wanted 1000 baht for what they said would be useful for my purposes.  I really just want to give a gram or a joint a try and see if I like it.  Thanks for your suggestions.  

Just curious, I applied for SS on 16 August and it is still under review in the Philippines. How long did it take for you before they approved it and you got your first payment?  Did anyone contact you for further information?  And did they contact you to get the information for direct deposit into your Thai bank.  Thanks.   

I am thinking of forgoing Part B for a year or 2 after I turn 65 in October.  $4000 dollars just about covers my Thai insurance for two years which gives me 5 million baht hospital coverage, but not such great outpatient coverage for cancer.  It is a small risk, I guess, but tempting.   

However, I don't know how much they will jack up my insurance this year though...

2 hours ago, georgegeorgia said:

I'm not sure if your serious , I hope not 

Sounds like you expect people to go out to work when a wall could the job? +(Which is tragic)

 

Work life balance is the new era ,why work when it's not needed 

Look, let's build walls where they are efficient at stopping boarder crossings and let's not build walls where they are useless symbols intended to pander to ideological beliefs.  Instead let's spend the money for unneeded walls on bolstering the legal and enforcement systems.  Duh!

Look, let's build walls where they are efficient at stopping boarder crossings and let's not build walls where they are useless symbols intended to pander to ideological beliefs.  Instead let's spend the money for unneeded walls on bolstering the legal and enforcement systems.  Duh!

On 7/30/2024 at 6:08 PM, TallGuyJohninBKK said:

 

Believe one of the OP linked articles says that hush puppies are NOT on the Thailand LJS menu...

 

But Cheddar Bay Biscuits are on the Red Lobster Thailand menu... if your wallet is fat enough!  🙂

 

I just happened to be walking past there at Emquartier and noted that the biscuits are 35 baht each, takeaway.  I will satisfy that nostalgic desire soon, before they close down.