Cape Cod Barrister

then they better do the same for dand burn poodles that can be just as agressive if not more..

My friends and I have donated money over the years but you need more than any of us can afford. You need to attract wealthy donors or this plan will not get off the ground. The WHAT managed to build their theater in a short amount of time. I know healthcare isnt as sexy as theater but I say again, make sure everyone on your board commits to finding people who can afford to donate large amounts of money. They have never had that kind of energy in the past but maybe now with new board members something positive could happen...I am not optimistic based on past experience but I would love to be proved wrong!

Wise: You want to make the first donation? It sounds to me as if you have some personal insight, so I welcome you to contact me personally at bruce@bierlaw.com.

Bruce

Bruce:
I wish you well in your attempt to build a new site for OCHS but please keep a close eye on the fundraising. We have been promised a new health center building for years but the fundraising has been lacking in creativity and energy. Wellfleet supports OCHS but patience is growing thin. If OCHS doesnt build it someone else will.

CCToday...why are my comments deleted?

I come in from offshore, in a good mood after catching a 900# giant bluefin, gave crusader a big kiss, made a few comments and all of a sudden I am persona non grata.

What gives? You don't have to terminate my services. Just say the word and I will leave of my own volition.

Comment deleted.

Once again Maverick has commented "off topic" and with an personal attack.

The next time he does so he will be denied access to this site permanently.

- The Editors

Comment deleted.

Ned: Glad you're a happy OCHS patient.

Bruce

This is awesome!! That's my doctor! I'm headed up there this afternoon to get my prescriptions ...

Bruce:
I wish you luck and will certainly support the idea. Even in these dire economic times its still possible to raise money for something as important as healthcare on the lower cape so I hope OCHS can come up with a creative fundraising plan so the dream of a new building can become a reality.

Wise: My tenure at OCHS has been relatively brief; 14 months. Therefore, I look to the future, not the past. It's incumbent upon the board to explore all options available, on Rte 6 or otherwise.

The board of selectmen is very supportive of a "health care campus" contiguous to the COA. If they are willing to convey this acreage for a buck and support OCHS and the project; it's a fantastic idea. It's time that action be taken and I intend to help move OCHS in that direction.
Bruce

I support the idea of OCHS having a new building at the Wellfleet COA. However, OCHS has been talking for over four years now about a capitol plan to raise money to build a new clinic. I think there should be a time limit for this so that if OCHS cantraise the money after a certain amount of time, the land would go back to the COA for housing or whatever other needs might benefit the community. Also,in the past OCHS has always said they would rather be on route 6 so are they now ready to accept this new location?

Um, Maverick

Have you considered the possibility that the bill was amended because Obama said very clearly that he would not sign a bill that provided benefits for illegal aliens or abortion, i.e. because of Obama's leadership and willingness to compromise?

Have you considered the fact that what Obama said when Wilson said "you lie" has actually come to pass because of Obama's leadership and willingness to compromise, i.e. that he meant exactly what he was saying?

No, of course you haven't, because that wouldn't fit as neatly with your simplistic ideological preconceptions which permit of no flexibility or compromise even in the most complex political and economic negotiations.

Your comments would fit far better in a forum like Rush Limbaugh, instead of a site like this one written and edited by a rational and knowledgable individual speaking to people with the same attributes.

" i.e. MY livelihood" hmmmm... I'd hate to be in that positon.

To ALL commenters: Please remain on topic. Off topic comments, back and forth banter will be deleted. If it continues, your user account will be suspended. Please adhere to our very simple rules. Thank you.

I contacted Walter and Maggie after your abuse extended to the quality of my work i.e. MY livelihood and you were most assuredly banned.

banned?...an honest, independent voting, seafaring charter captain who is concerned for his children and grandchildren? Has the Cape lost all values?

I love Cape Cod. It's some of the residents I have a problem with.

PS...had my best summer ever despite the economy. Go Dali!

It's my understanding that you sir, are banned.

Peter...your thought and question... "and if Joe Wilson was wrong, other than his outburst, why was the "insurance reform" bill amended the next day to include language excluding illegal immigrants and abortion funding."

Ned...any thoughts? Or are you too busy moderating?

Richard: Had a case about ten years ago against a major rifle manufacturer. The safety on the rifle was disengaging when the rifle was bumped. A police officer blew off the top of his foot when the rifle was bumped and the safety disengaged.

I obtained a corporate memo during discovery that indicated the company knew about the safety pronlem for years, but figured it was cheaper to pay the death and disfigurment claims than fix the safety.

The case obviously settled. Pintos; rifles...a continuing story.

Bruce

Bruce

The single best example of what so-called "tort reform" is all about is the 1972 Ford Pinto case where people were killed due to a faulty gas tank design. This is something that everyone should understand and keep in mind whenever caps on damages are "debated."

Ford could have made the Pinto safer by relocating the gas tank or providing better protection for it, but that would have cost X million dollars. So their actuaries, using statistics as to frequency of collisions and average jury verdicts, calculated the cost in damages with the safer design as opposed to keeping it as it was. Because it would have cost more, as against predicted damage payouts to make it safer, they chose not to do so knowing that more people would be killed and badly burned in accidents because of it.

The "runaway" verdict in 1972 caught them by surprise. The question we all should be asking is whether we really want to make it easier for corporate managers to compromise our health and safety based on more certain predictions, or do we want to keep them guessing in favor of safer practices.

Personally I'd like to hear your opinion on:

The Senate pulling ACORN's funding,

if the black-on-white student beating in St. Louis is a teachable moment like the Skip Gates incident,

if George Tiller's life was more valuable than James Pouillon's

and if Joe Wilson was wrong, other than his outburst, why was the "insurance reform" bill amended the next day to include language excluding illegal immigrants and abortion funding.

In a British cartoon, bestial Sons of Liberty tar and feather a customs agent for serving the crown, then give him more tea than any stomach could hold. The sons alerted colonists to royal plans and actions. A note, or printed squib mobilized them. To break a Tory's will, patriots relied less on violence than on threats. Mention of tar and feathers could force a crown official to resign or take to the woods, for simmering pine tar, first mentioned during the Crusades, could kill him. Feathers were mere frippery. -National Geographic

Bruce,

Thank you for your informed advice. Here's a subject that I'd like to see you cover. My wife and I need to "put our house in order" regarding wills and family matters.

My question, are the so called "Legal Zoom" type services offered over the TV/Radio/Internet credible?

Thanks

The most significant political/legal issue facing America today was just argued in the Supreme Court last week concerning the scope of corporate free speech. All the parties seem to agree that the plaintiffs who produced "Hillary the Movie" will likely win on the merits of that specific case, but the larger issue is whether it will be a narrow ruling confined to those facts or a "broad ruling" that greatly expands corporate control over the public media.

The proper way to fall on a wet supermarket floor, including what bones to try to break.

Jane: I will definately cover this topic in the near future.

Bruce

I think many people would beneift from an article on just how much Tort Reform would effect the cost of health care. I am of the opinion tort reform will have little, if any effect on the cost of health care. It be interesting to read your thoughts on the issue.

How about an article on the no fuss charm of Cape Cod!

LOL...Sorry Bruce, I guess that was my doing. I saw the comment from 'wise' and ran with it. You must realize that if there are threats of termination against employees who would contact you about problems within OCHS, you may not have much success. If I were you, I would address this to the BOD and the new CEO. Good management will listen to valid concerns and address them accordingly so that employees will know their voices count and the BOD appreciates the good people that work within the organization. High turnovers are not profitable and they do create fear, low morale and alienation among workers. I do know good nursing staff is essential to run a successful clinic and I have met many very skilled and strong willed nurses in my experience. Those relationships help me learn to be more efficient at my job and I could see how valuable they are to the team, because some of the doc's weren't always doing their jobs and the nurses would be forced to pick up the slack. I wish the nurses well and hope you can help that organization, Bruce.

Very interesting. A blog about Pfizer becomes an OCHS blog.

While I am certainly interested in all the comments; readers do not, and could not, know all relevant facts. For that reason, the public comments that I do make with some frequency will have to suffice. Any reader (including any OCHS employee) is always free to communicate with me directly at bruce@bierlaw.com. Also; many OCHS staff have my cell number and are free to call me, as well. There is not one employee that has contacted me in the past year that has not received a response.

Bruce

Bruce,

How does OCHS get away with firing employees who speak with the press?

I can imagine the evil crucifying that would go on in the workplace after the whistle blowers told their story, but firing an employee? Why don't the BOD's get involved in these matters? They need to discipline the managers, not the employees who are doing their jobs well and without creating dissension among co-workers.

Bruce,
ditto.. the obvioius reason that former/current employees of OCHS didn't give their names is because OCHS threatened to fire them if they talked to the press. Why then would they be stupid enough to allow their names to be printed?

Roberta conducts business out of a vacuum, makes her decisions without input/information, etc. When will the BOD "get it"???

Same here, no problem. Take care.

Sometimes change is good and necessary to make better things happen. Maybe in time, the nurses can get their jobs back, or find other jobs. Nursing is in demand more and more, as we must rely on them for the overwhelmed system. What I saw as the most problematic was the management style at OCHS. It alienated workers from managers who were not willing to listen to their valid concerns, and worst was they made it so co-workers became alienated from each other. It would have been better if they had not hired any of us until they were working on more solid ground. There was a lot of division about the former CEO leaving and morale was low when I got there, worse when I left. It's too bad things didn't work out, but the experience taught me a valuable lesson. I won't tolerate bad treatment again from anyone, not personal, not in the workplace, not ever. The nutritionist I became friends with after my stress induced event that led me to an ambulance ride to CCH, was my savior. A great lady who I owe a lot. She helped me out of a tough time and gave me the support I needed to get out.

You and I must know each other but I am saying no more!
Nice chatting with you.

Well, wise, you sound like one of the good ones I didn't get an opportunity to meet. It's unfortunate the nurses lost their jobs due to the layoff. I know how hard it is to find a good job and when you find one, you don't ever want to give it up. There are millions out of work, but the Cape makes it harder especially on Outer Cape where there are fewer opportunities for employment. Maybe if they work on their philanthropic goals, more will donate. But in order for the rich to be willing to make contributions, they want to see the place functioning at its best. Its best chance at success is to show they are providing quality care facilities in every aspect of service. From the person who greets you at reception, to the medical assistant who takes your vitals, to the nurse who helps manage your care, to the doctor who provides medical treatment. When patients leave the office, they should know that their billing will be handled properly with their insurance providers. It's not just what the doc's and nurses do, it's the entire patient experience that must work well together.

Mahar begins by reviewing health care trends: "In 1970, health care spending was 7.1% of GDP; by 2005 it was 16%, and is predicted to reach 21% by 2020. At the same time, in 2005 nearly 48 million had no health insurance, including about 1 in 3 households earning over $50,000. (A 2002 IOM report concluded that lack of insurance was associated with a 25% greater chance of dying - 18,000/year.) The average premium for a family was $10,880 and only 59% of companies with less than 200 employees offered health benefits - down from 68% five years prior. Even having health insurance is often not enough - in 2005 nearly two-thirds of families struggling to pay medical bills had insurance. Companies are also struggling - in '04 G.M. paid about $1,400/car for health care benefits, vs. profits of $178/car".
In 2002 drug companies paid about $30 billion for promotion - about one-seventh of revenues...Medicare HMOs have also been found to game the reimbursement system - instituting high co-pays, refusing to cover select situations, etc. to discourage certain high-cost patients, raising costs.

Crusader: she is gone and has been for some time. No one cares more about ochs than I do. I want Dr. Berrien to succeed but I know and have worked with all the great nurses who were "laid off" and the ones who are still there and they are very concerned. It matters not that she is a doctor because she has displayed a total lack of respect for the nurses, which says to me that she doesnt understand the role of a nurse.
All I am asking is that everyone, patients, ex-and current employees, keep a watchful eye and do not be afraid to speak up..with both words of praise and constructive criticism.