President Bush to join President Daniels for final Purdue Presidential Lecture Series event on December 6th
Former U.S. President George W. Bush will share the stage with Purdue University President Mitch Daniels, who served in the White House as Bush’s first budget director, for the final Presidential Lecture Series event of Daniels’ tenure at Purdue. Reserved-seating tickets for entry will be required, becoming available beginning Nov. 7 at www.purdue.edu/president/lecture-series/. Individuals will be limited to two tickets each. There is no charge for the event. Tickets will be electronic only and are not transferable. Attendees should plan to bring a photo ID and their mobile ticket for entry. Due to anticipated audience size, guests should arrive early to navigate event parking and entry procedures prior to the lecture.
As the Bush administration’s first director of the Office of Management and Budget, Daniels was dubbed by Bush “The Blade” for his adherence to spending restraint. Upon Daniels’ departure in May 2003, Bush praised him as “a really good watchdog of the taxpayers’ money.” For his Indiana gubernatorial campaign, Daniels used the trademark slogan “My Man Mitch,” in reference to another nickname President Bush gave him while serving in his administration.
Daniels’ baptism in public service came as chief of staff to U.S. Sen. Richard Lugar from 1977-82, before serving as a senior advisor to President Ronald Reagan. After a 15-year career in private business, Daniels was confirmed as President Bush’s director of the Office of Management and Budget by a U.S. Senate vote of 100-0, serving from January 2001 until May 2003. In this role, Daniels also was a member of the National Security Council and the Homeland Security Council. Daniels left the White House in mid-2003 to launch his successful campaign for Indiana governor, serving two terms. On his first day as governor, Daniels created Indiana’s first Office of Management and Budget.
Founder of Scotty’s Brewhouse files Chapter 13
Scott Wise, the founder of Scotty’s Brewhouse locations, has filed for bankruptcy protection. Wise and his wife, Amy, filed Chapter 13 bankruptcy in mid-October. Scotty’s Brewhouse, at one point, had 17 locations, including one in Bloomington, before stores began to be shut down in 2016. Scotty’s Holdings LLC filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection around a year ago and has since closed most of its locations, including the one in Bloomington. Some of the debt creditors listed in the Wises’ bankruptcy filings are also creditors in Scotty’s Holdings case.
Individuals filing for Chapter 13 bankruptcy protection seek to develop a plan to repay some portion of what they owe creditors. Wise now operates Roots Burger Bar in Muncie, Indiana, home to the first Scotty’s Brewhouse.
Tips to Avoid Common Pitfalls During Medicare and Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment
The Medicare Annual Enrollment Period began on Oct. 15 and runs until Dec. 7, 2022. This is the one time of year when ALL people with Medicare can make changes to their Medicare Advantage health and prescription drug plans that will take effect on Jan. 1, 2023. During Medicare open enrollment, you can expect to see plenty of advertisements promising the “latest and greatest” ways to save on your health plans and expenses if you’ll just “call right now!” While some choices may look promising on your TV or computer screens, not all plans are created equal, and some offers really are “too good to be true.”
The following tips will help you navigate Medicare and Medicare Advantage open enrollment, find the plan that works best for you, and spot misleading or fraudulent marketing.
Don’t be pressured
- There’s no such thing as a “limited-time offer” or “special discount if you sign up right away.”
- You don’t have to decide after a single phone call or website visit.
- Feel free to ask anyone calling you for their full name and contact information, company license information, or a copy of the plan. NOTE: Medicare and Social Security will never contact you by phone to offer a health plan.
- You don’t need to provide your Social Security number (SSN), bank account, Medicare number, or credit card before you can see plan details or receive a quote for legitimate plans.
Do your homework
- Read Medicare.gov’s breakdown to learn more about what each part of Medicare covers and the difference between Medicare, Medicare Supplement insurance (Medigap), Medicare Advantage, and Medicaid.
- Keep in mind that not all the benefits you hear about on TV or see on the Internet may be offered by every plan or even be available in your local area.
- Familiarize yourself with the rules those representing a Medicare health plan must follow.
- Read the fine print of Medicare Advantage plans. When you hear something is “free” or “zero premium,” you need to exercise caution. While some plans may have “zero co-pays,” those could be limited to your primary care provider. If you see a lot of specialists, you may pay more out of pocket.
Follow basic cybersecurity practices online
- Beware of clicking on random Internet ads.
- Know that some websites will change their colors or layout to look like a government site but aren’t actually affiliated with the government.
- Use caution with unsolicited messages, texts, or emails.
The State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) can help with your questions about Medicare. SHIP is a free and impartial counseling program for people with Medicare. All of SHIP’s services are offered at no charge to consumers. SHIP is not affiliated with any insurance company or agency and does not sell insurance. The program is facilitated by the Indiana Department of Insurance and Administration for Community Living. SHIP is part of a federal network of State Health Insurance Assistance Programs located in every state.
SHIP is staffed by a crew of volunteer counselors who have completed intensive training to offer Medicare beneficiaries objective assistance in complete confidence. If you or someone you know needs help with their Medicare questions, call the SHIP helpline at 1-800-452-4800 or the TTY line for the hearing impaired at 1-866-846-0139. You also can find SHIP online at www.Medicare.IN.gov.
Consumers may also contact a licensed insurance agent for assistance when making purchasing decisions regarding Medicare, Medicare Supplement, Medicare Advantage, and Medicare Prescription Plans.
This Week in Hoosier History
1938 – More than 2000 people attended a reception held at the home of former president Benjamin Harrison on North Delaware St. in Indianapolis. In attendance were his widow, Mrs. Mary Lord Harrison, and daughter Mrs. Elizabeth Walker. The Harrisons expressed pleasure over the way their former home had been restored and opened to the public. Harrison built the home in 1875 and lived there before and after his term in the White House.
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