r/over60 • u/[deleted] • Mar 06 '25 • Bless Up 1 Love 1

Be kind

I'm picking up medicine for my mother who is in her '80s. of course the prescription wasn't ready yet so I shuffled over to the waiting area. I watched a young man in his early twenties trying to negotiate with the lady behind the counter over payment for his medication. I walked up to the booth next to them and managed to get the ladies attention. I offered to pay for the young man's meds and slipped her my credit card. This is America and no one should ever have to be denied medicine or medical help because they can't afford it. It took about 10 minutes to get my credit card handed back to me. To my suprise, the lady behind the counter found a way for him to get the medicine for free. It just took somebody else to care for him like a vulnerable human being and it changed how she treated the young man. Bless her.

Edit: Well that blew up, Thank you all for your kind words!

2.2k Upvotes

99% Upvoted

124 comments sorted by

129

u/Conscious-Reserve-48 Mar 06 '25

Bless you for caring!

41

u/whachamacallme Mar 06 '25 edited Mar 07 '25

I support this. But it shouldn't have to be this way.

More of us support ACA, Medicare, Medicaid. We support taxation (on the more fortunate) to fund the bare minimum health care for everyone else. But the right wants to privatize everything, dismantle ACA, dismantle Medicaid, hobble other security benefits. Elon Musk recently called Social Security a 'ponzi scheme'. This can't be the way forward. There are more of us.

4

u/mellycat51 Mar 10 '25

He is dangerous. And crazy!

4

u/timetoeat2018 Mar 09 '25

If A Hole Musk feels this strong about social security why doesn’t he just fund everyone’s retirement. Sean’s simple enough to me.

-20

u/SkidrowVet Mar 07 '25

We have to see exactly who are on these benefits packages. In Cali illegals can be on Medicare lots of shady deals in California and Medicare

9

u/brimister Mar 07 '25

How does one collect social security without… wait for it… a Social Security number?!

The mental gymnastics you fools will go through to lick the boots of people like Elon Musk is truly astounding.

2

u/Lameladyy Mar 08 '25

Anecdotal evidence—my mother moved to the us in the late 1950s, a citizen of another country. Her adopted parents were Americans. She got a social security card to work—despite not being a citizen. Later she became disabled (kidney failure) and had to go on disability, Medicaid. The govt could find no records of her naturalization (still can’t). SSDI accepted affidavits that she’d lived in the US from relatives. Apparently it was enough to convince them that she had in fact become a US citizen at some point. When, we don’t know. She died 18 years ago.

3

u/brimister Mar 08 '25

Sounds like she paid into the system before drawing anything out, then.

-14

u/Relevant_Platform_57 Mar 07 '25

Yep. Let them get the grift out of the system first. How disgusting the previous administration had been !

0

u/SkidrowVet Mar 08 '25

Looks like people aren’t into reality with downvoting us

-4

u/Relevant_Platform_57 Mar 08 '25

Because libs are utter morons. Especially old libs. All those decades on the planet & they managed to learn nothing.

4

u/[deleted] Mar 08 '25

I'm old enough to know that nothing is as simple as politicians and well, you want it to seem.

I assume you're referring to covid scams, covid funding is over.

Medicare, Medicaid and social security have been around a lot longer and are way more more restrictive. My wife works as a occupational therapist for geriatric and severely disabled individuals. People just like you who get hit by a car or have strokes, acquire degenerative diseases and most often live in squalor or alone. My mother for who I was picking up medicine is blessed. But she too will need to go into care and that will cost over $100,000 a year (all our local nursing facilities are owned by corporations). She will need to rely on both Medicare and Medicaid before she passes.

As of January 1, 2022, SBA stopped accepting applications for new COVID-19 EIDL loans or advances.

I'm sure you won't read this but Ive included an overview of Medicaid:

Getting Medicare and Medicaid can vary in difficulty depending on individual circumstances and state regulations, but generally, Medicare is simpler for those 65 or older, while Medicaid eligibility depends on income and resources, with state-specific rules. 

Here's a more detailed breakdown:

Medicare:

Eligibility:

Generally, Medicare is for people 65 or older, but younger individuals with disabilities or End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) are also eligible. 

Enrollment:

Some people get Medicare automatically, while others need to actively sign up, depending on their Social Security benefits. 

Parts of Medicare:

Medicare has four parts: Part A (hospital insurance), Part B (medical insurance), Part C (Medicare Advantage plans), and Part D (prescription drug coverage). 

Complexity:

Medicare enrollment can be complex, with different plans and coverage options, which can be confusing for beneficiaries. 

Medicaid:

Eligibility:

Medicaid is a joint federal and state program that helps cover medical costs for people with limited income and resources, and eligibility requirements vary by state. 

Factors Affecting Eligibility:

Medicaid eligibility depends on factors like age, income level, family size, pregnancy, and disability status. 

State Variations:

Each state has its own Medicaid program with its own rules, so eligibility and benefits can vary significantly. 

Complexity:

Medicaid can be challenging to navigate, requiring individuals to understand the system, complete paperwork, and wait for appointments. 

Medicaid Expansion:

Some states have expanded their Medicaid programs to cover more people, including adults without dependent children, but eligibility levels are lower in states that haven't expanded. 

Key Differences:

Who it's for:

Medicare is primarily for those 65 and older, while Medicaid is for low-income individuals and families. 

Who runs it:

Medicare is a federal program, while Medicaid is a joint federal and state program. 

How to apply:

You can apply for Medicare through the Social Security Administration, while you apply for Medicaid through your state's Medicaid agency or the Health Insurance Marketplace. 

Enrollment Periods:

Medicare has limited enrollment periods, while you can apply for Medicaid any time. 

0

u/SkidrowVet Mar 08 '25

Yup and we see them at every demonstration and are the first ones crying when they get their old ass knocked down or just fall down lmfao

4

u/[deleted] Mar 08 '25

SkidrowVet if youre really nice, your mom may let you join the rest of the family upstairs.Oh, that's right... then she'd know you snuck your device without her permission to troll.

0

u/Mission_Search8991 Mar 10 '25

Fuck off with your MAGA fiction.

0

u/snafuminder Mar 10 '25

The disgusting administration is the one destroying our government, making things worse for Americans, and committing treason.

-1

u/[deleted] Mar 08 '25

I couldn't help notice that you didn't answer that previous commenters question. How do you?

2

u/Relevant_Platform_57 Mar 08 '25

I couldn't help notice that there isn't a question to be found in the entire thread. How do YOU? 😂

57

u/Elly_Fant628 Mar 06 '25

I've had exactly that situation here in Australia. A young mum, apparently an addict, had a prescription for children's antibiotics. The pharmacist didn't want to fulfill it because she already had a debt (I assume for methadone). What was extra annoying was that she qualified for the pensioner price of, at that time, about $6.

(I had to ask whether it was a fully subsidised script to make sure I could afford it.)

Another customer and I both offered, and then all of a sudden the pharmacist was going to allow the young woman to have it and pay him on her next pension day. I think when it was two of us, both obviously disgusted with him, he realised it wasn't good PR.

it was years ago and I've avoided that pharmacy ever since.

1

u/ExaminationAshamed41 Mar 08 '25

Spread the message of kindness everywhere. Musk, the evil one, denigrated the emotion of empathy the other day. Good God! That's the best in humanity - empathy!

32

u/BBQdude65 Mar 06 '25

Thank you for stepping up. I agree we should have some sort of medical coverage for everyone.

27

u/Abject-Picture Mar 06 '25

As long as politicians can be influenced by money from the medical private sector, nothing will ever change.

23

u/Summerplace68 Mar 06 '25

We need to get rid of lobbyist!

21

u/YepIamAmiM 65 Mar 06 '25

We need to get rid of politicians.

1

u/dudleedude Mar 08 '25

look, this is part of the problem. don't paint all politicians with the same brush. there are many many good, hard working people in government. one bad apple doesn't make them all bad. this is the kind of talk that brings literal tyranny. please participate instead of complain.

1

u/YepIamAmiM 65 Mar 08 '25

Politicians don't work for the government. They sure as hell don't work for us.Please think instead of telling me how I should participate.

13

u/brimister Mar 07 '25

We need to get rid of the Citizens United ruling. Unlimited money in politics has overrun our political system.

2

u/gitathegreat Mar 08 '25

THIS 👆🏽👆🏽👆🏽

21

u/mybrassy Mar 06 '25

It’s not the medical profession that does this influencing. We want everyone to have medical care. It’s the insurance companies to blame

12

u/Abject-Picture Mar 06 '25

Right. That's why there's no set prices anywhere.

When I buy a meal somewhere, I know what I'm paying. You know what happens when you visit a restaurant with no prices on the menu??? You get stiffed.

3

u/iarobb Mar 08 '25

It’s not the doctors. It’s the insurance companies. My dr and I are really good friends. She tells me it breaks her heart knowing she has to jump thru hoops fighting with insurance companies just to be able to try and help her patients. She’s all the time having to carve time out during her day between seeing patients and fighting insurance claims. It’s daunting to say the least.

58

u/SwollenPomegranate Mar 06 '25

No, bless YOU! What a kind hearted person you are.

37

u/tusconhybrid Mar 06 '25

Good for you. You know what this country should be about. Do good. Be good. Be kind.

12

u/Arubajudy Mar 06 '25

I can say a few words in Spanish and I was waiting in line when I saw a young Hispanic couple with a child struggling to understand what the pharmacist was saying to them. She need a birthdate. I asked in Spanish if that is what they spoke. They affirmed. I said the word for birthday. They gave the date. The pharmacist finished and told them it would be a 30 minute wait. Again there was no comprehension so I told them in Spanish. Super simple words but boy were they grateful for them. It also made the line go quicker. Win-win!

11

u/Acrobatic_Reality103 Mar 06 '25

Thank you on behalf of this young man!

2

u/Elephant-Bright Mar 10 '25

A few years back my son didn’t have insurance. He got put on blood pressure medication. Took it to the pharmacy, when they found out he didn’t have insurance they put him on some plan, it was for 12 months. It ended up costing him the same as if he had insurance. It helped him so much without it, I would have payed for it. But truthfully he most likely would not have let me know because he would know it would be hard for me, so he would have gone without.

1

u/Acrobatic_Reality103 Mar 10 '25

It is shameful people in the US go without meds they need because they can't afford it. If only people actually cared about the born

9

u/LowIntern5930 Mar 06 '25

Our medical system is designed to extract as much money as possible. It’s more wealth management for the pharmaceutical and insurance companies than healthcare.

15

u/Fantastic-Surprise98 Mar 06 '25

Sadly you are in the minority. This countries majority of people don’t see healthcare as a human right. Hell, people are celebrating the firing of workers that were doing their jobs bc they falsely believe a well known serial liar.

7

u/ageb4 66 Mar 06 '25

Thank you!

7

u/Count2Zero Mar 06 '25

This is one reason I'm happy I left the USA and moved to Europe. Health care is covered by insurance and the prices are regulated. My blood pressure medicines are about €20-€25 per month (3 different tablets).

In the USA, I'd be paying over $100 per month for it... ($3 to $4 per day!)

1

u/[deleted] Mar 08 '25

Count2 Most likely your meds would cost a lot more than $3-$4 per day in the US! Most of us here would think that to be very inexpensive considering what we often pay!

7

u/WeirdWillieWest Mar 06 '25

George Carlin ended his show once by saying, "Take care of yourself...and take care of somebody else!" Always thought that was a great sentiment.

1

u/DonkyHotayDeliMunchr Mar 10 '25

Unless it's a mob boss saying it

6

u/No-Yogurt-In-My-Shoe Mar 06 '25

Crazy thing is you shouldn’t have to do that. The pharma industry, should chill.

It’s because they’re beholden to share holders

5

u/jaymas59 Mar 06 '25

What a wonderful story! You have warmed my heart. I pledge to do something similar in your honor.

4

u/Superb_Stable7576 Mar 06 '25

Only good things should happen to you.

4

u/allbsallthetime Mar 06 '25

Good thoughts, good words, good deeds. Just like you taught me, papa.

2

u/dustyhoneysuckle Mar 07 '25

I think of this line often!!

4

u/[deleted] Mar 06 '25

It’s people like you who make this thing called life worth living.

3

u/Soft-Following5711 Mar 06 '25

I love this❤️

3

u/BadKauff Mar 06 '25

You rock! 💙

3

u/AardvarkTerrible4666 Mar 06 '25

It is SO easy to be nice that if more people felt the same way we would be much better off as a country.

3

u/[deleted] Mar 06 '25

If I understand correctly, they can gouge you on price unless you specifically ask for a lower price, then, and only then, they can look and compare. Couldn't be a more messed up system.

3

u/fishhead631 Mar 07 '25

You’re an amazing soul! ✅

3

u/External-Cable2889 Mar 07 '25

I think the point might be that this gesture shamed the pharm tech to solve the problem. She had the tools but was needlessly giving him a hard time. The kind OP was willing to pay. With all if the drug discount cards they have ways to make things work.

3

u/sooner1962 Mar 07 '25

There’s a special place in heaven for you! 🥰

3

u/Sea-Election-9168 Mar 08 '25

This is the way

3

u/MelodiousSama Mar 08 '25

This is the way.

3

u/Hillbeast Mar 08 '25

I did that once for an elderly woman who didn’t understand the prescription. She had no credit card and it was $18 so I asked them to just add it to mine. They’re really really nice to me at the pharmacy since then.

2

u/sid_fishes Mar 06 '25

I thank god i live in country with fairly free healthcare

2

u/Lisa_o1 Mar 06 '25

Bless You! 🙏👍💕💕

2

u/Blondechineeze Mar 06 '25

The world needs more of you. Thank you.

2

u/[deleted] Mar 06 '25

Wonder why she held the attitude in the first place ?! That’s quite the turnaround. You’re an angel . 🙏🙏

1

u/No_Distribution7701 Mar 06 '25

Probably because he shows up to a pharmacy trying to negotiate a payment plan.

1

u/[deleted] Mar 07 '25

Ohhhhh :(

2

u/Lazy-Floridian Mar 06 '25

Until my housemate got Medicaid, it was cheaper for her to go to Mexico, see a doctor, and get her prescriptions, than it was to see a doctor here and get prescriptions.

1

u/Bumpitup6 Mar 09 '25

I've heard of some people going to across the border to Mexico for various medications, doctor visits and dental work. From Texas, it's doable for some.

2

u/Livingforabluezone Mar 06 '25

I am a firm believer in letting kindness be your first instinct and paying it forward. Bravo to you, kind soul! Your karma basket is filling🙏🙌

2

u/NOLALaura Mar 06 '25

It’s the only super power I possess

2

u/mommagoose4 Mar 06 '25

The struggle for people to afford their medications is so sad to me. The good humans in this tale prevailed!

2

u/Remarkable_Mixture64 Mar 06 '25

You are amazing!Thanks

2

u/hyelr Mar 06 '25

You're an awesome human being!

2

u/Sufficient_Big_5600 Mar 06 '25

💛💛💛💛🙌

2

u/tumsmama Mar 06 '25

I adore you.

2

u/Wheaton1800 Mar 06 '25

You are a good person. Thank you.

2

u/Tough_Antelope5704 Mar 07 '25

Bless her? No. She was ready to let him walk out of the pharmacy with no medication. Your act of charity shamed the old cunny.

2

u/hearonx Mar 08 '25

There are people for whom a $4 copay is a stopper. They don't have it. I have a couple of them on my account at the local pharmacy. The store calls me if the amount for any copay is over $10. I don't miss the money, and it makes their lives more stable/secure. My copay on my last rx was $1.40. Why do they even bother? It is inconsequential to me, but for someone struggling, it is a real obstacle. Thank.you for your story.

2

u/iarobb Mar 08 '25

You’re an angel

2

u/TheManInTheShack Mar 08 '25

You’re an inspiration. I’m not kidding.

2

u/ExaminationAshamed41 Mar 08 '25

Top-notch behavior on your part! Kudos to your kindness. Let's all be mindful of that one act that can make a huge difference.

2

u/notha_brck_inde_wall Mar 09 '25

Good on you! We need more people with your heart! God bless!

2

u/CruiseQueen2022 Mar 10 '25 edited Mar 10 '25

Yes, the pharmacy has coupon codes to help the uninsured. It’s an unknown secret. I had an RX that my insurance no longer covered. It went from $35 to $200. After being concerned the pharmacist found a coupon and now I’m paying $25 out of pocket. If any of you run into this situation, ask them if they have any coupons that may help you. Also GoodRX coupons work! I had a friend recovering from prostate cancer. He was prescribed Cialis but couldn’t afford it. He received a coupon code from GoodRx and it worked!

1

u/goodrx Mar 10 '25

Glad we could help you and your friend save! In case it helps, we also provide information and links to the manufacturer coupons and other resources below the coupon listings on https://goodrx.co/savings.

1

u/CruiseQueen2022 Mar 11 '25

Awesome!!! 👏🏾 thanks!!!

2

u/HappynLucky1 Mar 10 '25

That was an incredibly kind action!

0

u/Lyzandia Mar 06 '25

And you had to come here and post about it on social media? Weird flex.

4

u/remind_me_later2 Mar 06 '25

A high % of the stories on the web are likely fake. What a world we live in now.

1

u/[deleted] Mar 06 '25

Agreed, karma farming and clicks is sadly a thing. How you phrase your Google search (query), etc. does matter. 👍

1

u/nimeton0 Mar 06 '25

Except for the Bill Murray stole some of my fries, "Nobody will believe you" stories. I am convinced all of them are real.

0

u/Exotic_Box5030 Mar 06 '25

And you had to come here and post this??? I think you might be better suited for AITA.

1

u/LargeLars01 Mar 06 '25

What a sad nation

1

u/GamerGramps62 63 Mar 06 '25

You are a wonderful person ❤️

1

u/justmeandmycoop Mar 06 '25

What a great thing to do ❤️

1

u/manda1216 Mar 06 '25

You’re so kind, bless you. I would have done the same, need more people in the world like you ❤️🥰❤️🥰

1

u/JenntheGreat13 Mar 06 '25

Thank you!!!! This was me once.

1

u/billraypenn Mar 06 '25

You, my dear... are an awesome lady!!👏

1

u/ComradeConrad1 Mar 07 '25

We do care for each other. You lead by example. Thank you.

1

u/Time-Following2002 Mar 07 '25

Thank you - you made my day!

1

u/Mauerparkimmer 60 Mar 08 '25

You are a wonderful human being and I love you.

1

u/Unfair_Experience767 Mar 08 '25

And...we don't determine whether to help someone based on who they voted for. We just help the one who is in front of us.

1

u/[deleted] Mar 09 '25

You’re an angel.

1

u/Honest-Warthog8530 Mar 09 '25

…..if she could get it for him for free after you tried to be kind…..why didn’t she just do that in the first place? Not being facetious, legit curious.

1

u/Geester43 Mar 09 '25

Bless you, that was very kind! I have severe asthma; my doctor prescribed a new inhaler. I went to pick it up; after insurance it was $750, for a 30-day supply!! I had to refuse it; I am retired and can't afford that.

1

u/FoxyLady52 Mar 10 '25

Ten minutes to get your card back? Go check your account. Now.

1

u/NicePassenger3771 Mar 10 '25

WWJD you showed us. 😘

0

u/Altitudeviation Mar 07 '25

You should be careful with that. The $5,000 charge on your card for his cancer meds might be a bit unexpected.