Creative Financing....3/5

The Ayer is getting a bit thin.... Browder signed a mortgage agreement with GE Capital for $115M, and an agreed revolving credit of $15M plus $3M swing. What's the difference between that and the investors (which GE has been at a different time)? The hospital secures the loan.

When maintenance money is tight, but capital improvements are available, that's when you know investors are tightening in the moneybelt. Maintenance can't secure a loan...real property and assets can.


What they fail to realize is this: A hospital is more (or less!) than the sum of it's assets. Management can drive down the intrinsic worth faster than you can say "cutbacks". Actually, they may well be aware. GE probably figured having your hand out at the beginning of the line is better than at the end.

Actually, the mortgage was signed on Dec 20, but not recorded until about a month later. It was, in fact, the day after the saga of Dr. Rimas Maurukas came to an ignoble ending with revocation of his medical license in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

Vote, And Vote Often!....3/5

The fourth of next month will be interesting in the national arena, but it will also be worth a look here. I was going to let things slide, but then someone pointed out that Essent has a PAC (Political Action Committee), and hasn't been shy in the past as to who they support and what contributions they will make to their campaigns.

Sharon Hospital tried to host a fund raising breakfast for one Senator a few years back, and was promptly slapped down as being in violation of campaign contribution rules. That's when they formed the PAC.

So, who are the contributors, and who are the recipients? It will certainly be interesting, and possibly telling.

I'm fac_p, and I endorsed this ad.....

All the News Not Fit To Print.....3/15

Events and Orders of the Court

03/12/2008 OBJECTION TO AFFIDAVIT OF R. WESLEY TIDWELL
03/06/2008 BRIEF PLTS BRIEF IN OPPOSITION TO JOHN DOES NO. 1 MOTION FOR PROTECTIVE ORDER
12/20/2007 MOTION FOR PROTECTIVE ORDER
12/17/2007 NOTICE OF INTENT TO SERVE SUBPOENA ON NONPARTY REQUIRING THE PRODUCTION OF DOCUMENTS
12/14/2007 ORDER RESCINDING ORDER RELATING TO THE DISCLOSURE OF JOHN DOE #1'S IDENTITY
10/01/2007 ORDER RELATING TO THE DISCLOSURE OF JOHN DOE#1'S IDENTITY
09/28/2007 LETTER FROM JAMES RODGERS TO HONORABLE SCOTT MCDOWELL
09/27/2007 SUPPLEMENTAL PETITION PLTS FIRST
09/24/2007 LETTER FROM JAMES RODGERS TO HONORABLE SCOTT MCDOWELL
09/14/2007 JUDGE'S RULING
09/12/2007 PLAINTIFF'S SUPPLEMENTAL BRIEF IN RESPONSE TO JOHN DOE NO. 1'S OPPOSITION TO THE DISCOVERY OF HIS IDENTITY
09/12/2007 ARGUMENT FROM JAMES RODGERS
09/07/2007 PLTS BRIEF IN RESPONSE TO JOHN DOE #1'S OPPOSITION TO THE DISCOVERY OF HIS IDENTITY
08/07/2007 VACATION SCHEDULE J. MICHAEL TIBBALS AUG. 17-26, 2007

08/06/2007 LETTER TO JUDGE MCDOWELL FROM JAMES RODGERS

07/24/2007 ORDER AGREED ORDER AMENDING JUNE 10, 2007, ORDER AND DIRECTING NON-PARTY CEBRIDGE ACQUISITION, L.P.,dba SUDDENLINK COMMUNICATIONS TO PRODUCE RECORDS PURSUANT TO THE FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS ACT.

07/11/2007 NOTICE OF APPEARANCE/SUBSTITUTION OF COUNSEL FOR NON-PARTY CEBRIDGE ACQUISITION LP D/B/A SUDDENLINK COMMUNICATIONS

06/19/2007 ORDER GRANTING PLAINTIFF'S MOTION TO NON-PARTY TO DISCLOSE INFORMATION

06/19/2007 PLAINTIFF'S ORIGINAL PETITION

Looks like Suddenlink isn't rolling over...or doesn't have the data...floating IP addresses are tricky things....frank

Ever Wonder Why....2/27

I received this promo from Dell and Microsoft:

Your choice of a PC can dramatically improve the lives of people living with AIDS in Africa. Windows® is proud to partner with Dell™ and (RED)™ to give you an opportunity to buy (PRODUCT) RED next time you buy a PC.

For every purchase of a Dell (PRODUCT) RED PC, Windows and Dell will make a contribution of $50 to $80, depending on the product purchased, to The Global Fund to help improve the lives of people in Africa affected by AIDS. $50 is enough to pay for almost four months of life-saving antiretroviral treatment for one person suffering from AIDS.

It's simple. You choose Windows Vista Ultimate (PRODUCT) RED, we give to The Global Fund, and people in Africa benefit.

It is a beautiful choice with a powerful impact.

My question, to the drug manufacturers, and our elected officials is, Why does four months of antiretroviral cost $80 in Africa, and why shouldn't it be the same price here?



Last I heard, the treatments, not just the cocktail, cost thousands per month. So why are we paying (at levels that threaten to bankrupt our healthcare system) the much higher price for the same drugs? Is it because they can get away with it?

But, it isn't only that. What has happened to our healthcare system? Years ago, in a fee-for-service era, you got sick, you went to your doctor. He listened, you talked. He talked, you listened. You paid him. Simple. Now, with the system we have, you pay the HMO, they pay the doctor, a percentage of what he bills, so he feels the need to cram more patients into the time slots. Little talk, less listening. Less paid. The price of progress.

This really isn't the fault of a free-market system. It happens in socialized medicine as well. The money you would have paid to the HMO, would go to the government. They would 'manage' the system. The physician receives less, as does the patient. ...And the level of caring is even less. ...And what program has government 'managed' correctly, or under budget?....keep thinking.....