I am the last person in America who likes the bowls. All of them. I like the fact that Florida Atlantic, BYU, and New Mexico all finished their seasons with a post-season win. But this post is specifically about one of those games.
The Pioneer Las Vegas Bowl pitted a disappointing UCLA team that had just fired their coach ad was using their 4th string QB against BYU- who happened to be on a 9 game winning streak. Both teams played with the sort of intensity you see when my 2 year old wants THAT COOKIE. Guys were making diving catches, big time tackles, and occasional brain farts. BYU's captain got hurt in the first half, came back in, and got hurt again. He waved to the crowd to say thank you for their cheering in a classy move. Several UCLA players also played valiantly with injuries. It was a hard fought, well played drama. UCLA had a chance to win if they could kick a field goal at the end. They drove from their 2 yard line to the BYU 10. On the last play- UCLA's kicker- who had made 2 50 yard field goals, lined up for a 30 yard chip shot.
And it was blocked!
The BYU players that got to the kick put up the ind of Herculean effort you see in an action movie. The BYU players ran out on the field, jumping and hugging. UCLA's captain cried like he lost a national championship. For a meaningless bowl- it sure was great theater and meaningful.
Long live the Bowls!!!
Sunday, December 23, 2007
Primary care issues- can we survive
www.memag.com/memag/Medical+Practice+Management%3A+Business+Operations/Practice-Overhaul-Contest-Turnaround-help-for-inco/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/479380?contextCategoryId=43934
The article above is about a private practice that is trying to improve business practices without compromising patient care. What I find interesting is the idea that PCP's should see 30-35 patients a day. It's do-able, but not preferable. Patients want more time from their doctors. Doctors need to see more patients as reimbursement per patient is decreasing. The current practice models are not sustainable in the long-term unless all of us join large groups.
Meanwhile, concierge practices see 10-15 people per day and make more money- without having to deal with insurance hassles. More money per patient and fewer patients calling after hours. It sounds great for me, but I can't say the same thing for the general public (especially the general public in the lower 75% income group). As someone with a struggling new practice, I have to choose between the bird in the hand (low reimbursement insurance covered patients- of whom there are many) and the bird in the bush (a concierge practice- where I have to hope that there are at least 250 families willing to give me $2,500 per family to care for them). I definitely need to phrase it as $200 per month.
But with practices going out of business and large group practices being slow to move into some of the new suburbs, the general public is beginning to lose access to health care services due to a lack of PCP's. This is a problem for both the poor and the middle class. I don't have a solution that is workable, I'm just saying this is an unrecognized problem.
http://laissezfairehealthcare.com/2007/12/22/primary-care-physicians-an-endangered-species/
Another aticle addressing the practice of primary care medicine. I can't add anything to this except to say, "yep, he's right".
http://www.thehealthcareblog.com/the_health_care_blog/2007/12/bad-medicine-ho.html
And finally, the most comprehensive blog post I found on the subject.
The article above is about a private practice that is trying to improve business practices without compromising patient care. What I find interesting is the idea that PCP's should see 30-35 patients a day. It's do-able, but not preferable. Patients want more time from their doctors. Doctors need to see more patients as reimbursement per patient is decreasing. The current practice models are not sustainable in the long-term unless all of us join large groups.
Meanwhile, concierge practices see 10-15 people per day and make more money- without having to deal with insurance hassles. More money per patient and fewer patients calling after hours. It sounds great for me, but I can't say the same thing for the general public (especially the general public in the lower 75% income group). As someone with a struggling new practice, I have to choose between the bird in the hand (low reimbursement insurance covered patients- of whom there are many) and the bird in the bush (a concierge practice- where I have to hope that there are at least 250 families willing to give me $2,500 per family to care for them). I definitely need to phrase it as $200 per month.
But with practices going out of business and large group practices being slow to move into some of the new suburbs, the general public is beginning to lose access to health care services due to a lack of PCP's. This is a problem for both the poor and the middle class. I don't have a solution that is workable, I'm just saying this is an unrecognized problem.
http://laissezfairehealthcare.com/2007/12/22/primary-care-physicians-an-endangered-species/
Another aticle addressing the practice of primary care medicine. I can't add anything to this except to say, "yep, he's right".
http://www.thehealthcareblog.com/the_health_care_blog/2007/12/bad-medicine-ho.html
And finally, the most comprehensive blog post I found on the subject.
Thursday, December 20, 2007
Duke-Pitt
Great game. Just unreal. It felt like a conference tournament game. It went back and forth and into overtime. The game was at Madison Square Garden in NY- meaning you had a smart, basketball savvy crowd. You had Duke alum Jay Bilas calling the game- even admitting some of the charge fouls against Pitt were "close". That's code for "crap". Duke got out to a big lead, Pitt fought its way back in it, and prevaied in OT. A few thoughts:
1. Last year, Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski did not seem focused. The team was not prepared for games, missed free throws, and seemed to run around randomly instead of usig set plays late in close games. Since last summer's FIBA tournament, where Coach K coached NBA stars, he seems refreshed and has his fire back. And his team ran plays that worked. Of course, at the end of OT with no timeouts, his team ran around like headless chickens, but the other 45 minutes they looked prepared to win. Next time, coach, prepare your team for the possibility that they may be down 2 with 4 seconds left and no timeouts. It's happened before.
2. Duke just hustles.
3. So does Pitt.
4. Before I die, I want to see a basketball game Madison Square Garden.
5. Both of these teams can beat the Knicks.
6. Pitt coach Jamie Dixon had his team well prepared, made good adjustments in the second half, and kept his team focused after a player suffered a serious injury. He is good at all of the aspects of college coaching (recruiting, season planning, game planning, in game adjustments, play calling, keeping the team focused, and dealing with adversity). I know he has not had much success in the NCAA tournament, but it's just a matter of time.
7. Last year, Duke's point guard Greg Paulus was an overrated crybaby. Now, he's a good floor leader and a solid player who may get to cut down a net at the end of the big dance.
8. College refs reward flopping, especially by Duke.
9. Pitt rhymes with "legit". Seems appropriate.
10. You know it was a good game when my 5 year old did not want to go to bed- and immediately fell asleep once the buzzer sounded
Saturday at 11- Georgetown at Memphis. Somewhere Michael Graham and Ralph Dalton (GU alums) will be placing a bet with Andre (the Little General) Turner and Baskerville Holmes (former Memphis players).
1. Last year, Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski did not seem focused. The team was not prepared for games, missed free throws, and seemed to run around randomly instead of usig set plays late in close games. Since last summer's FIBA tournament, where Coach K coached NBA stars, he seems refreshed and has his fire back. And his team ran plays that worked. Of course, at the end of OT with no timeouts, his team ran around like headless chickens, but the other 45 minutes they looked prepared to win. Next time, coach, prepare your team for the possibility that they may be down 2 with 4 seconds left and no timeouts. It's happened before.
2. Duke just hustles.
3. So does Pitt.
4. Before I die, I want to see a basketball game Madison Square Garden.
5. Both of these teams can beat the Knicks.
6. Pitt coach Jamie Dixon had his team well prepared, made good adjustments in the second half, and kept his team focused after a player suffered a serious injury. He is good at all of the aspects of college coaching (recruiting, season planning, game planning, in game adjustments, play calling, keeping the team focused, and dealing with adversity). I know he has not had much success in the NCAA tournament, but it's just a matter of time.
7. Last year, Duke's point guard Greg Paulus was an overrated crybaby. Now, he's a good floor leader and a solid player who may get to cut down a net at the end of the big dance.
8. College refs reward flopping, especially by Duke.
9. Pitt rhymes with "legit". Seems appropriate.
10. You know it was a good game when my 5 year old did not want to go to bed- and immediately fell asleep once the buzzer sounded
Saturday at 11- Georgetown at Memphis. Somewhere Michael Graham and Ralph Dalton (GU alums) will be placing a bet with Andre (the Little General) Turner and Baskerville Holmes (former Memphis players).
The NBA is back
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/dailydime?page=dime-071220
In case you haven't noticed, the NBA has gotten a lot better over the last few years. Yesterday had 4 good close games- Houston/Orlando (Yao vs. Dwight Howard), San Antonio/Memphis (Rudy Gay's coming out party- no pun intended), Dallas/Phoenix (the 2 most recent MVP's going at it for conference supremacy in the West), and Boston/Detroit (Mr. Big Shot- and former Celtic- Chauncey Billups comes up big AGAIN in Boston over the BIG 3). I mean, did you catch any of that? You better.
First, the local game. Yao and T-Mac have done so much for the community. they do all kinds of fund raisers, open up new businesses, and travel the world to help the poor and down-trodden (T-Mac went into Darfur to help bring attention to the genocide there. But these 2 admirable men have not led Houston to a playoff series victory. So the locals are disgruntled. Last night we got a visit from the Magic. Orlando's big man- 20 year old Dwight Howard, is proof that evolution is still occuring in a positive manner. Their new $126 million forward Rashard Lewis (a former local HS player who skipped college) was also on display. The Magic won, the Rockets and their fans keep grumbling.
And that Boston/Detroit game. Playoff level intensity, clutch shots, good throwback uni's. i can't discuss this rationally....just bleeping great. Did I mention 'Sheed vs. KG? Or RIp Hamilton going toe to toe with the Truth (Paul Pierce).
Wow. And tonight has college ball with Pitt/Duke and Bowl season starts. I feel like John and Jeremy in Wedding Crashers at the start of wedding season. Baba Ghanoush!!
In case you haven't noticed, the NBA has gotten a lot better over the last few years. Yesterday had 4 good close games- Houston/Orlando (Yao vs. Dwight Howard), San Antonio/Memphis (Rudy Gay's coming out party- no pun intended), Dallas/Phoenix (the 2 most recent MVP's going at it for conference supremacy in the West), and Boston/Detroit (Mr. Big Shot- and former Celtic- Chauncey Billups comes up big AGAIN in Boston over the BIG 3). I mean, did you catch any of that? You better.
First, the local game. Yao and T-Mac have done so much for the community. they do all kinds of fund raisers, open up new businesses, and travel the world to help the poor and down-trodden (T-Mac went into Darfur to help bring attention to the genocide there. But these 2 admirable men have not led Houston to a playoff series victory. So the locals are disgruntled. Last night we got a visit from the Magic. Orlando's big man- 20 year old Dwight Howard, is proof that evolution is still occuring in a positive manner. Their new $126 million forward Rashard Lewis (a former local HS player who skipped college) was also on display. The Magic won, the Rockets and their fans keep grumbling.
And that Boston/Detroit game. Playoff level intensity, clutch shots, good throwback uni's. i can't discuss this rationally....just bleeping great. Did I mention 'Sheed vs. KG? Or RIp Hamilton going toe to toe with the Truth (Paul Pierce).
Wow. And tonight has college ball with Pitt/Duke and Bowl season starts. I feel like John and Jeremy in Wedding Crashers at the start of wedding season. Baba Ghanoush!!
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Local Doc's Medical Advice #1
If you're reading this, you officially qualify as easily entertained. Or just bored. So, to make it worth your time, here's some advice:
Get life insurance.
Seriously. I try real hard with the doctoring thing, but if you're my patient, you're going to die. Ditto with every other doctor. If you use a chiropractor, naturopath, accupuncturist, hypnotist, or Psychic friend, you're still mortal. Assuming that you have any family, and they depend on you for financial support, you will want to make sure to provide for them in case you pass away early. I know it can't happen to you, but since it happens to other people, pretend it can happen to you.
Get life insurance.
Seriously. I try real hard with the doctoring thing, but if you're my patient, you're going to die. Ditto with every other doctor. If you use a chiropractor, naturopath, accupuncturist, hypnotist, or Psychic friend, you're still mortal. Assuming that you have any family, and they depend on you for financial support, you will want to make sure to provide for them in case you pass away early. I know it can't happen to you, but since it happens to other people, pretend it can happen to you.
Sunday, December 16, 2007
Why?
Why are football coaches vermin if they break a contract early, but owners and college administrators are OK if they fire the coaches?
Why do fans get upset at players who change teams for more money when fans change jobs for...more money?
Why are steroids in baseball more horrible than steroids in football?
Why are people upset about Medicaid not covering people, when what they pay doctors and hospitals is so low that most of us try to avoid Medicaid to stay in business?
Why don't comedies win Academy Awards?
Why is negativity easier than positivity?
Why is it so hard to string 3 decent sentences together?
Why is the NBA suddenly so much better than it was 10 years ago? (answer- more foreign players)
Why is the presidential campaign 2 years long?
Why is a beautiful woman a snob if she doesn't talk to every dork that comes along?
Why do people kill people in the name of a benevolent God?
Why does beer smell so much better than it tastes?
Why not?
Why do fans get upset at players who change teams for more money when fans change jobs for...more money?
Why are steroids in baseball more horrible than steroids in football?
Why are people upset about Medicaid not covering people, when what they pay doctors and hospitals is so low that most of us try to avoid Medicaid to stay in business?
Why don't comedies win Academy Awards?
Why is negativity easier than positivity?
Why is it so hard to string 3 decent sentences together?
Why is the NBA suddenly so much better than it was 10 years ago? (answer- more foreign players)
Why is the presidential campaign 2 years long?
Why is a beautiful woman a snob if she doesn't talk to every dork that comes along?
Why do people kill people in the name of a benevolent God?
Why does beer smell so much better than it tastes?
Why not?
Christmas Party
My wife and I just pulled off our 3rd Annual Christmas Party- in our kids' names of course. It was epic in scale and grandeur. A good comparison would be the party that accompanied the Fall of the Berlin Wall. Except we had Santa Claus instead of David Hasselhoff. If you don't have kids, you don't want the oh so cute details. If you do have kids, you don't want the gory details. Let's just say that 28 kids from 11 months to 11 years old attended , and sugar cookies were heavily involved. At one point we had 2 craft stations going while kids played stik the nose on the clown (you don't want pin the tail on the donkey with 2 and 3 year olds- real pins, real pin holes).
I can still hear the noise. It's echoing in the family room. It's sitting in the kitchen. And lingering in the playroom.
It's like all that laughter is embedded in the walls.
I can still hear the noise. It's echoing in the family room. It's sitting in the kitchen. And lingering in the playroom.
It's like all that laughter is embedded in the walls.
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