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Mom to hospital worker: Don't tell my daughter 'hitting is flirting'
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An Ohio mother wants to make sure her daughter understands an important message: When a boy hits you, its never a sign of love. - photo by Jessica Ivins
COLUMBUS, Ohio An Ohio mother wants to make sure her daughter understands an important message: When a boy hits you, its never a sign of love.

Merritt Smiths comments stemmed from a hospital visit with her little girl, Joni, who needed stitches under her eye after a boy in her preschool hit her in the face with a metal teapot, Yahoo Parenting reports.

When Smith and Joni checked in with the registrar at the front desk of Nationwide Childrens Hospital and told him what happened, he replied, I bet he likes you.

Horrified by the comment, Smith wrote an open letter to the stranger on Facebook, which has since been shared nearly 35,000 times. Though she acknowledged the man probably didnt mean any harm with what he said, the message itself is extremely damaging.

Im positive that you didnt think that statement through, she wrote. That statement is where the idea that hurting is flirting begins to set a tone for what is acceptable behavior.

Smith points out that her daughter, at just 4 years old, knows that hurting someone is not an acceptable choice. Vulnerable and scared as she walked into the hospital, she needed someone to help her feel safe, Smith said. Instead, she received a message that someone who likes you might hurt you.

I will not allow that message to be OK, Smith continued. I will not allow it to be louder than, Thats not how we show we like each other. Tell me you like me. Draw me a picture. Write me a letter, a poem. Do not confuse aggression with affection.

Smith points out that society needs to think about the messages it's sending our children. As adults, she says, we have a position of influence. We shape what they view as acceptable and what is not.

I want to be clear that my intensity on this is directed at adults, she wrote. We will make the difference. Its time to be conscious adults leading the way.

Smiths post inspired hundreds of shares and comments most in support of her mission.

Im sorry that the man at the desk said that, wrote one commenter. He probably doesnt even realize that his words have such a profound ability to mold a young mind.

Smith agreed, further emphasizing her motivation for speaking out in the first place.

I do not mean to attack the hospital or get this man fired, she wrote. He genuinely meant no harm. My intensity and intent is to change old scripts that do not serve us as adults and most certainly do not serve our children.

"I know we can change the messages that guide or children as they learn to interact with one another, develop conflict resolution skills, choose empathy and stand strong in their sense of self.

Smith did alert Nationwide Childrens Hospital about the incident. Hospital officials reached out to Smith and her family, and posted an apology to the hospitals Facebook page.

Although we know the comment was made with no malicious intent, it is our wish to apologize and express to you that this is something we are taking seriously, the post reads. This comment does not represent our philosophy as an institution.

The hospital met with the employee, as well as with leadership teams to understand the situation and take measures to prevent this from happening again.
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New Medicare cards are in the mail and scammers are on the prowl
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The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has begun mailing new Medicare Health Insurance ID cards. The program no longer uses Social Security numbers to identify people. - photo by Lois M Collins
The federal government is beginning to send out new ID cards to the 58 million Americans who benefit from Medicare. But since many of the people who will receive them don't know they're coming or why, scammers are already gearing up to take advantage.

An AARP survey shows as many as three-fourths of Americans 65 and older have no idea the cards are coming, so some individuals may be duped with claims that they're supposed to pay a fee or provide personal information that will be used, instead, to defraud them.

The new cards are the first reissue in years, and the most striking part of the redesign is that the cards no longer carry the beneficiary's Social Security number. Congress mandated the removal of that number as an identifier for Medicare beneficiaries by next April. Instead, the card has a Medicare Beneficiary Identifier number, an 11-digit combination of numbers and letters.

The new Medicare cards are now being mailed out in batches, starting with the Eastern seaboard and moving west. Most Medicare beneficiaries will receive their cards over the next six months, as long as the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has their correct mailing address. Once the cards are in hand, people can share the new identification number with their health care providers. During a transition period, either card is valid.

The old cards, which used Social Security numbers as the personal identification number, should be destroyed.

AARP recently launched an education campaign to warn consumers about scams related to the new Medicare cards.

The membership organization's "Fraud Watch" consultant, Frank Abagnale reformed con man, scammer and the subject of the movie and book "Catch Me If You Can" tells senior citizens the only time they need to carry the actual Medicare card is to health care appointments. Otherwise, it should be left in a safe place. If they want to carry one in their wallet or purse, he says, make a copy and black out the first seven numbers.

Since the cards were announced, scammers have already:

  • Called seniors and asked for their bank account information so that money on their old card could be returned. There is no money on the old card and CMS never asks for personal information over the phone.
  • Offered to send the new card after Medicare beneficiaries pay a $25 fee to cover expenses related to the card. The card is free.
  • Said the card will be mailed out as soon as the older person verifies his or her Social Security number, mailing address and other personal information. CMS already knows the beneficiary's Social Security number and it's no longer being used in conjunction with health care.
AARP and the Federal Trade Commission will hold a free online seminar about the cards and the fraud attempts they have spawned on Thursday, April 19, at 7 p.m. EDT. Register at: www.aarp.org/FraudWebinar. CMS also offers a "frequently asked questions" guide to the new cards.

The AARP Fraud Watch Network says consumers can sign up for its Watchdog Alert emails that deliver breaking scam information, or call a free helpline at 877-908-3360 to speak with volunteers trained in fraud counseling. Abagnale also hosts a weekly podcast for AARP, called The Perfect Scam.
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