Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/767568
Several organizations and community members have generously given of their time and money to help Salisbury High School students celebrate the holi- day season. The First Christian Church, Radiology at St. Elizabeth Hospital, Marine Corps Toys for Tots and Big 5 donated many items so the school can give every student and every child in the Cal-Safe Program a gift during the annual holiday feast. In addition, the Salis- bury Mentoring Project is being strongly supported by adults in the community who are volunteering their time with teens doing fun activities. Salisbury hosted its sec- ond Mentor Meet-Up Dec. 13 at Salisbury High School. Principal Barb Thomas taught a quick lesson on basic cake decorating tech- niques and provided every- one with their own ginger- bread pieces to construct a gingerbread house. Men- tors and students worked together building and dec- orating. Laughter and creativity filled the room while stu- dents interacted with com- munity members who care enough to give their time and attention to Red Bluff youth. Salisbury is always look- ing for more community volunteers who are willing to give their time to become mentors. If you are interested in attending future Mentor Meet-Ups, call Darbie An- drews at 529-8766, write to dandrews@rbhsd.org or visit the school's Facebook page. SALISBURYHIGH Community steps up for local students CONTRIBUTEDPHOTO Students and community members celebrate on Dec. 13at Salisbury High School's annual Mentor Meet-Up. There are two main types of illness: acute and chronic. An acute illness doesn't last very long. It goes away either on its own or in response to treatment, such as tak- ing medi- cine or hav- ing surgery. A chronic illness or condition is ongoing. It affects your health over a long period of time, possibly your en- tire life. That's the kind of situation EC reader Gina's family was dealing with. Then lo and behold... Dear Mary: My hus- band and both of my chil- dren have chronic skin problems. One doctor di- agnosed them with ec- zema, but curiously noth- ing, including prescrip- tion medications, has brought lasting relief. We have spent a small for- tune going from one der- matologist to another and buying all of lotions, po- tions and other medi- cations prescribed. Not once did any of these pro- fessionals suggest they might be allergic to laun- dry softeners. When I read your column "Laun- dry Softeners are the Problem, Not the Solu- tion," a lightbulb went on. I'm a serial softener user. For years, I've used liquid softener and dryer sheets. How could I have not thought about this? It made a lot of sense that they could be aller- gic to this stuff. I wasted no time getting the wool dryer balls you recom- mend on your website. I gave up softener prod- ucts cold turkey and be- gan using the dryer balls instead. I was like a crazy woman washing and rewashing clothes and bedding. I got 3 gal- lons of white vinegar to make sure I had enough to add to every rinse cy- cle. Within two weeks we began to see a change. The horrible skin issues began to calm down. Af- ter the third week the change was amazing. As I write, I would say my kids and husband are fi- nally free of this awful situation. As embarrassed as I am that I never con- sidered this might be the problem, I am more grateful and happier than you can imagine. Thank you so much for all you do to improve our lives. That column changed our lives, and we are forever grateful. — Gina Dear Gina: What a wonderful story. I am so thankful we connected and that you've hit on the solution to the problem! I love my wool dryer balls because they really work to soften without any chemicals, scents, per- fumes or other stuff we used to think we couldn't live without. And just think how much money you won't be spending on softener products! And all those lotions, potions and other medications, too. Wouldyouliketosend a tip to Mary? You can email her at mary@ everydaycheapskate.com, or write to Everyday Cheapskate, 12340 Seal Beach Blvd., Ste. B-416, Seal Beach, CA 90740. EVERYDAY CHEAPSKATE How a simple solution changed everything for one family Not long ago, I had din- ner with a group of friends from college. One of the big topics of conversation was Medi- care, for which we'll all be eligi- ble in the next several years. Fare- well, callow youth. And one of the big- gest questions about Medi- care was, "How much is it going to cost me?" Like private health in- surance, Medicare has pre- miums, deductibles, and co-pays. These costs can — and often do — change from year to year. What you actually pay depends on your work history, in- come, and inflation. Only about 1 percent of people with Medicare pay a monthly premium for Medicare Part A, which covers inpatient hospi- talization, skilled nurs- ing care, and some home health services. That's be- cause they paid Medicare paycheck deductions for 40 quarters or longer dur- ing their working lives. Most people do, how- ever, pay a monthly pre- mium for Medicare Part B, which covers doctor fees, outpatient treatment, du- rable medical equipment, and other items. Part B premiums are rising for next year, but for most people, the increase won't be very much. The law protects most seniors from Part B pre- mium hikes if the cost-of- living adjustment (COLA) in their Social Security benefit doesn't go up in a given year. Since the Social Security COLA for 2017 will be 0.3 percent, about 70 percent of Medicare beneficiaries will pay an average Part B premium of $109 per month in 2017. That's up from $104.90 for the past four years. The remaining 30 per- cent of Medicare's 58 mil- lion beneficiaries will pay the standard Part B pre- mium of $134 for 2017, a 10 percent increase over the 2016 premium of $121.80. This smaller group is not protected under the statutory "hold harmless" provision linked to the So- cial Security COLA. It in- cludes people who don't receive Social Security benefits; enroll in Part B for the first time in 2017; are directly billed for their Part B premium; are eligi- ble for both Medicare and Medicaid and have their premiums paid by a state agency; and pay higher premiums based on their higher incomes. This year, as in the past, the government has worked to lessen projected premium increases for these beneficiaries, while maintaining a prudent level of reserves to protect against unexpected costs. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Ser- vices will work with Con- gress as it explores budget- neutral solutions to chal- lenges created by the "hold harmless" provision. Part B also has an an- nual deductible, which will rise to $183 in 2017 (com- pared with $166 in 2016). After your deductible is met, you typically pay 20 percent of the Medicare- approved amount for most doctor services (includ- ing most doctor services while you're a hospital in- patient), outpatient ther- apy, and durable medical equipment. The Part A deductible, which you pay when ad- mitted to the hospital, will be $1,316 per bene- fit period in 2017, up from $1,288 in 2016. This de- ductible covers your share of costs for the first 60 days of Medicare-covered inpatient hospital care in a benefit period. People with Medi- care pay coinsurance of $329 per day for the 61st through 90th day of hospi- talization ($322 in 2016) in a benefit period, and $658 per day for lifetime reserve days ($644 in 2016). For beneficiaries in skilled nursing facilities, the coinsurance for days 21 through 100 in a benefit period will be $164.50 in 2017 (versus $161 in 2016). Since 2007, higher-in- come people with Medi- care have paid higher Part B premiums. These in- come-indexed rates affect about five percent of peo- ple with Medicare. So, for example, a person with Medicare who files an in- dividual tax return show- ing an income between $85,000 and $107,000 will pay a Part B premium of $187.50 per month next year. Some people choose to get their benefits through privately-operated Medi- care Advantage health plans, or purchase a Medi- care Part D plan to help cover their prescription drug costs. Many of these plans carry their own monthly premiums. For more information about 2017 premiums and deductibles, go to www. medicare.gov, or call Medi- care any time of day or night, at 1-800-MEDI- CARE (1-800-633-4227). Cate Kortzeborn is Medicare's acting regional administrator for Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada, and the Pacific Territories. SENIORS How much will my Medicare cost in 2017? 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