The lack of consistent and effective medical liability tort reform throughout the country ranks as the largest issue affecting the healthcare system. Physicians and patients could benefit from improved tort reform in the United States. Medical liability tort reform impacts malpractice premiums, access to medical care and the quality of care delivered.
Medical liability tort reform can be split into two key components, pre-trial and post-trial. The pre-trial reform component concerns matters such as who can file a lawsuit and the worthiness of the case, with respects to the medical care rendered. In some jurisdictions family members file suits on behalf of an injured party. This is in addition to the injured party filing a lawsuit. In some instances, “pro se” lawsuits are filed. “Pro se” means that the plaintiff is not represented by an attorney. These caveats only serve to increase the number of suits. Some jurisdictions require a certified medical expert to sign off on a case prior to it being filed. Without this provision and others like it, court dockets fill up with frivolous and duplicate lawsuits.
Post trial reform includes limits and restrictions on what can be paid as damages and the amount of those damages. Damages are usually separated into economic and non-economic categories. Non-economic damages include restitution for pain and suffering, loss of consortium and punitive damages. Economic damages include lost wages and the patient’s medical bills. In medical malpractice lawsuits, the plaintiff can request as damages the full amount billed by the provider, as opposed to the amounts paid to the provider by a third party payor. Obviously a cap placed on either of these types of damages is beneficial to physicians in regards to the malpractice premium.
The majority of medical professional liability policies provide coverage on a first dollar basis with defense costs outside the limits of liability. The premium has an administrative and claim factor built into the rate for every specialty. The more that factor increases, the higher the premium. The cost of damages is also a factor built into the rate for the premium. Uncapped damages make it difficult for insurers to accurately calculate the indemnity factor. Jury verdicts are often unpredictable and inconsistent even in similar demographic jurisdictions. Plaintiffs understand this and often try to inflate the true “value” of their cases. This increases the severity factor of malpractice claims. Frivolous lawsuits combined with uncertainty in the courts drive up the overall cost of malpractice insurance, including the premium.
Increased malpractice premiums for a physician, or group practice, bring heightened focus to the bottom line and operating more efficiently. Usually operating more efficiently is desirable in any business setting, but for physicians, this has become an increasingly difficult task. Overhead costs are rising as the cost of providing medical care increases. But it is not only the cost of providing medical care, but the cost of doing business. A few expenses that drive up the cost of doing business include employee salaries and benefits, leased office space and utility costs. On the other hand, reimbursements to physicians have been falling in recent years as health insurers and the government programs try to curb their costs. The net overall effect appears in the form of a shrinking income, forcing many physicians to close their doors. For those that struggle to stay open, they attempt to offset this decrease in profit margin, or increase in deficit, by seeing more patients during the already full workday.
As physicians begin to see more patients per day, the quality of care begins to diminish. The reduced time spent with each patient increases the chance of a medical error occurring. As the likelihood for error increases, so does the physician’s potential for liability, thus creating a circular problem. There is a business need to see more patients, but by doing so, the physician increases the chance of an error, increasing his overall liability, which could raise the premium if litigation eventually results. A decrease in the quality of patient care is another tangential effect of liability reform driving up malpractice costs.
While the quality of care to patients suffers, access to medical care also decreases for patients. With shrinking, and sometimes disappearing, profit margins, many physicians find themselves in the position to either close their doors, relocate or retire. This holds especially true in rural areas and poorer neighborhoods where there just doesn’t exist the large number of patients to support the practice. While all types of physicians experience this economic crunch, including specialists like obstetricians, primary care physicians are most affected. In order to maintain a level of profit, or just break even, these physicians are forced to move closer to metropolitan areas where there is a larger patient base. This forces patients in rural and poorer neighborhoods to travel further distances for medical care or choose to go without.
In addition to impacting malpractice premiums and access to medical care, the lack of liability reform gives rise to the concept of defensive medicine. During training, physicians are taught primarily evidence-based medicine. But in the world of private practice, with every patient a potential plaintiff, defensive medicine reigns supreme. This phenomenon results in an increased overall cost of healthcare per patient. Physicians order scores of potentially unnecessary tests and labs mainly to better defend themselves in a potential suit. With the ever-increasing cost of medical technology, defensive medicine in some ways keeps inflating the true cost of healthcare.
Defensive medicine can also have a subtle effect on a physician’s confidence and judgment. If a physician lives in constant worry that their decision, not only could be, but also will be second-guessed, their confidence level may be adversely affected. Typically physicians are well educated, well trained individuals who want to do nothing more than help patients. That confidence level is deflated when, in a courtroom, the physician is accused of “killing their patient.” These accusations can damage the psyche and some physicians find it difficult to recover from this painful experience.
With improved tort reform, the practice of defensive medicine would diminish, malpractice premiums would decrease and the quality of, and access to, medical care would increase. Other aspects of the healthcare system deserve discussion, such as the uninsured and underinsured population. The inefficiencies of Medicare and Medicaid need attention as well. However, reform and modifications to any of those areas will only increase the cost of medical care and potentially reduce the quality of care provided to patients. Consistent and effective tort reform will help to lower healthcare costs and increase the quality of care to all patients.
Sunday, November 02, 2008
Saturday, November 10, 2007
Immigration, Part I - The Rant
I don’t really know how to start this blog. I have SO many thoughts on this issue that it has been difficult to get them all into one coherent thought, so I am going to just start typing…
This is NOT racial discrimination. The protesters on television want to make it into racial discrimination, but it is not. Illegal immigration does not limit the discussion to illegal Mexicans or individuals of Latin or Hispanic origin. The last I checked though, I haven’t seen an uprising of illegal Polish immigrants or illegal Canadian immigrants. Why is that? Probably because about 80% of illegal immigrants fit into the former category.
Racial discrimination is about treating individuals a certain way or imposing a certain standard on them with no basis and unfairly and denying them rights they are afforded under the law. But that only applies to LEGAL citizens. Illegal immigrants are screaming they are being treated unfairly, but how can that be? If you are not in jail or being deported, you are getting off pretty easily. If you are not a citizen of the United States, or a legal immigrant, you are not afforded the rights as such.
What else?
The National Anthem should be sung in English. Period. End of discussion. I don’t go to Argentina and start protesting and creating my own “national” song because I didn’t bother learning the language. You know what they would say? Tough shit. If you want to be a part of this country, learn my song in my language.
And stop flying flags other than the one Betsy Ross designed when you decide to march and protest. If you want to be an AMERICAN citizen, why are you flying a Mexican (insert another country here) flag. If that is where you want to be, head south and don’t stop until you reach the border.
Random question? In what country or post Roman-empire jurisdiction of law can you just blatantly break the law and not be punished? I am looking at protesters on television and reading about them in the newspaper proudly chanting that they are here illegally and should not be sent home and how much they mean to this country. I am seeing at the same protest, police and other government officials “monitoring” the situation. Where is INS? People out in public, boldly breaking the law, and nothing happens. What the f*&%?
And what about the individuals who went through the proper channels to EARN the citizenship? To just grant amnesty to all or ANY illegal immigrants should be a slap in the face to those who chose to go about it the right way. Is that fair? Nowadays, fair and right hardly seem to matter compared to good business.
There will be more…
This is NOT racial discrimination. The protesters on television want to make it into racial discrimination, but it is not. Illegal immigration does not limit the discussion to illegal Mexicans or individuals of Latin or Hispanic origin. The last I checked though, I haven’t seen an uprising of illegal Polish immigrants or illegal Canadian immigrants. Why is that? Probably because about 80% of illegal immigrants fit into the former category.
Racial discrimination is about treating individuals a certain way or imposing a certain standard on them with no basis and unfairly and denying them rights they are afforded under the law. But that only applies to LEGAL citizens. Illegal immigrants are screaming they are being treated unfairly, but how can that be? If you are not in jail or being deported, you are getting off pretty easily. If you are not a citizen of the United States, or a legal immigrant, you are not afforded the rights as such.
What else?
The National Anthem should be sung in English. Period. End of discussion. I don’t go to Argentina and start protesting and creating my own “national” song because I didn’t bother learning the language. You know what they would say? Tough shit. If you want to be a part of this country, learn my song in my language.
And stop flying flags other than the one Betsy Ross designed when you decide to march and protest. If you want to be an AMERICAN citizen, why are you flying a Mexican (insert another country here) flag. If that is where you want to be, head south and don’t stop until you reach the border.
Random question? In what country or post Roman-empire jurisdiction of law can you just blatantly break the law and not be punished? I am looking at protesters on television and reading about them in the newspaper proudly chanting that they are here illegally and should not be sent home and how much they mean to this country. I am seeing at the same protest, police and other government officials “monitoring” the situation. Where is INS? People out in public, boldly breaking the law, and nothing happens. What the f*&%?
And what about the individuals who went through the proper channels to EARN the citizenship? To just grant amnesty to all or ANY illegal immigrants should be a slap in the face to those who chose to go about it the right way. Is that fair? Nowadays, fair and right hardly seem to matter compared to good business.
There will be more…
Sunday, October 28, 2007
No, you may not be excused
At Texas A&M, within the confines of Kyle Field, we have a name for those who leave football games early. We call them 2 percenters. If we expect (an we do) the football team (and any other athletic team) to give 100% for the entire game, as the 12th Man, we should give the same effort.
I left a game early ONCE. We were playing #19 Oklahoma State on November 1, 1997 in College Station and putting up a terrible effort. So, middle of the 4th quarter, I had seen enough. I had yelled my last yell. I was done. No sooner did I leave the stadium, before I heard the roar of 75,000 celebrating an Aggie touchdown. Long story short, we tied the game with 43 seconds on a 2-point conversion to send it into overtime. We won in overtime on a Tiki Hardeman touchdown run. Point: NEVER LEAVE A GAME EARLY!
This year in college football has been more of a reason to support that mantra than any year in recent memory. Irrespective of all the upsets, think about things you would have missed had you been the lousy fan who gave up on your team early.
#2 BC at Virginia Tech. BC scores 14 points in the last 2:30 minutes with an improbable onside recovery and an across your body heave into the end-zone by a QB who had been running for his life all game.
How about Boise State and Nevada? Final Score 69-67 with a bunch of overtimes jammed in there. You suck it up and deal with the cold weather and late hour. Call in sick to work the next day. Your boss should understand.
Arkansas versus Alabama. First Bama blows not one, but two 21 point leads. Then throws a fade to the corner with seconds left on the clock to pull out the home victory. I think 50% of Bama fans were in the ER after the game for near heart failure.
San Jose State found out the hard way what happens when you chant “overrated” too early. Bionic armed Colt Brennan gets fired up, ignores the 4 interceptions, RUNS in the game tying touchdown, then beats you in overtime.
If you had left the Coliseum early, you would’ve missed Stanford’s backup QB throw a touchdown pass with 1 second left to beat USC (a 40 point favorite).
Colorado beat OU on a time expiring career long field goal after being down 2 scores in the 4th quarter.
Michigan, after giving up the go-ahead score to Appalachian State, threw a 50 yard bomb at the end of regulation only to have Appalachian State block the game winning field goal attempt. Thrilling to watch it unfold (unless you wear maize and blue).
If I still have not proved my point, let me quote the Tennessee Volunteer fan seated next to me in Tuscaloosa at an earlier Alabama game. According to his father, “If you leave a game before the clock hits 0:00, well you ain’t shit.”
I have sat through a 77-0 drubbing, several 4 touchdown losses on national television, embarrassing lackluster efforts (@ Miami this year comes to mind) and heartbreaking touchdown catches by the opponent with little or no time left. However, watching your team pull off the improbable upset in the Big XII Championship game in overtime makes it all worth it (December 5, 1998). Or forcing a fumble in overtime in overtime (October 23, 2004) to seal the victory, after scoring 16 points in the 4th quarter to tie the game. So, here is hoping your team (unless they are playing the Texas A&M Aggies) catches the Hail Mary, recovers the onside kick and doesn’t miss wide left (or right).
God bless college football!
PS. Yesterday, the Aggies did not catch the Hail Mary pass or recover the onside kick. I know because I watched the entire game.
I left a game early ONCE. We were playing #19 Oklahoma State on November 1, 1997 in College Station and putting up a terrible effort. So, middle of the 4th quarter, I had seen enough. I had yelled my last yell. I was done. No sooner did I leave the stadium, before I heard the roar of 75,000 celebrating an Aggie touchdown. Long story short, we tied the game with 43 seconds on a 2-point conversion to send it into overtime. We won in overtime on a Tiki Hardeman touchdown run. Point: NEVER LEAVE A GAME EARLY!
This year in college football has been more of a reason to support that mantra than any year in recent memory. Irrespective of all the upsets, think about things you would have missed had you been the lousy fan who gave up on your team early.
#2 BC at Virginia Tech. BC scores 14 points in the last 2:30 minutes with an improbable onside recovery and an across your body heave into the end-zone by a QB who had been running for his life all game.
How about Boise State and Nevada? Final Score 69-67 with a bunch of overtimes jammed in there. You suck it up and deal with the cold weather and late hour. Call in sick to work the next day. Your boss should understand.
Arkansas versus Alabama. First Bama blows not one, but two 21 point leads. Then throws a fade to the corner with seconds left on the clock to pull out the home victory. I think 50% of Bama fans were in the ER after the game for near heart failure.
San Jose State found out the hard way what happens when you chant “overrated” too early. Bionic armed Colt Brennan gets fired up, ignores the 4 interceptions, RUNS in the game tying touchdown, then beats you in overtime.
If you had left the Coliseum early, you would’ve missed Stanford’s backup QB throw a touchdown pass with 1 second left to beat USC (a 40 point favorite).
Colorado beat OU on a time expiring career long field goal after being down 2 scores in the 4th quarter.
Michigan, after giving up the go-ahead score to Appalachian State, threw a 50 yard bomb at the end of regulation only to have Appalachian State block the game winning field goal attempt. Thrilling to watch it unfold (unless you wear maize and blue).
If I still have not proved my point, let me quote the Tennessee Volunteer fan seated next to me in Tuscaloosa at an earlier Alabama game. According to his father, “If you leave a game before the clock hits 0:00, well you ain’t shit.”
I have sat through a 77-0 drubbing, several 4 touchdown losses on national television, embarrassing lackluster efforts (@ Miami this year comes to mind) and heartbreaking touchdown catches by the opponent with little or no time left. However, watching your team pull off the improbable upset in the Big XII Championship game in overtime makes it all worth it (December 5, 1998). Or forcing a fumble in overtime in overtime (October 23, 2004) to seal the victory, after scoring 16 points in the 4th quarter to tie the game. So, here is hoping your team (unless they are playing the Texas A&M Aggies) catches the Hail Mary, recovers the onside kick and doesn’t miss wide left (or right).
God bless college football!
PS. Yesterday, the Aggies did not catch the Hail Mary pass or recover the onside kick. I know because I watched the entire game.
Saturday, September 29, 2007
Pay You? Seriously?
Seriously? A study was recently conducted about paying overweight and obese individuals money to entice and reward them for losing weight. Seriously?
Healthcare is already a problem in this country. And it isn’t just one aspect of it, it is embedded in all areas. It costs too much, there isn’t enough of it and too many are uninsured. The lists goes on and on.
But this dimension, we as individuals can personally improve. Depending on what study you read, anywhere between 1 in 3 and 3 in 5 Americans tip the scale as overweight or obese. Breakdown: Obese means 30 or more pounds above a healthy weight and overweight spans 1-29 pounds above a similar healthy weight. Granted, most body mass index calculators do not account for muscle mass (muscle weighs more than fat), but let’s not kid ourselves. All the obese and overweight folks in this country are not athletes masquerading as Dell customer service reps or doing your taxes. No, they are fast food addicted, lazy, healthy eating disregarding individuals who want to get paid to lose weight. Seriously?
Yes, obese/overweight individuals cost businesses, and in turn myself, money in the long run. The health risks are higher, including heart dieases and high blood pressure, which mean more trips to the doctor and/or hospital. It means more medication. More time at work missed, which someone has to make up for in their absence. It is the reason smokers pay more health and life insurance. You don’t see people paying them to quit smoking. Just the opposite, they keep raising the price of cigarettes and tobacco products to reduce the demand. Doesn’t seem to be working, but it’s an attempt.
Why don’t we charge more for obese/overweight individuals? Or at least make them assume more of the financial burden. More out of their check every 2 weeks? A higher co-pay? A higher deductible? Something that might make them take some accountability for the position they have gotten themselves into. I know positive reinforcement is said to work better at motivating people to action, but what could be more positive than an increased life expectancy and better health? The ability to walk a flight of stairs and not risk a trip to the emergency room. How about accepting some personal responsibility and stop draining the pockets of others? Seriously.
Healthcare is already a problem in this country. And it isn’t just one aspect of it, it is embedded in all areas. It costs too much, there isn’t enough of it and too many are uninsured. The lists goes on and on.
But this dimension, we as individuals can personally improve. Depending on what study you read, anywhere between 1 in 3 and 3 in 5 Americans tip the scale as overweight or obese. Breakdown: Obese means 30 or more pounds above a healthy weight and overweight spans 1-29 pounds above a similar healthy weight. Granted, most body mass index calculators do not account for muscle mass (muscle weighs more than fat), but let’s not kid ourselves. All the obese and overweight folks in this country are not athletes masquerading as Dell customer service reps or doing your taxes. No, they are fast food addicted, lazy, healthy eating disregarding individuals who want to get paid to lose weight. Seriously?
Yes, obese/overweight individuals cost businesses, and in turn myself, money in the long run. The health risks are higher, including heart dieases and high blood pressure, which mean more trips to the doctor and/or hospital. It means more medication. More time at work missed, which someone has to make up for in their absence. It is the reason smokers pay more health and life insurance. You don’t see people paying them to quit smoking. Just the opposite, they keep raising the price of cigarettes and tobacco products to reduce the demand. Doesn’t seem to be working, but it’s an attempt.
Why don’t we charge more for obese/overweight individuals? Or at least make them assume more of the financial burden. More out of their check every 2 weeks? A higher co-pay? A higher deductible? Something that might make them take some accountability for the position they have gotten themselves into. I know positive reinforcement is said to work better at motivating people to action, but what could be more positive than an increased life expectancy and better health? The ability to walk a flight of stairs and not risk a trip to the emergency room. How about accepting some personal responsibility and stop draining the pockets of others? Seriously.
Thursday, May 24, 2007
If the worst should happen, thou shalt be covered
I figured it was time for a real discussion blog since the last one was awhile ago. I am still writing the immigration blog. I just have SO much to say that I cannot get it all down in a coherent, non-ranting, non-ruining my future Presidential campaign piece. And now with this new piece of legislation that some claim is not complete “amnesty”...well, don’t get me started.
So, I was at a happy hour with Melissa and her co-worker and her fiancé and a very interesting statement was made, as they usually are at happy hours. The statement was that religion might be the oldest form of insurance. Hmmm. That struck a cord within me, being that I am an insurance professional. Is religion the oldest form of insurance? At first, I didn’t think much of it, but it kept coming back to me with some thought provoking parallels (some weak, some strong).
So, before I get deep into this, I want to make a disclaimer that I am not trashing religion in general or any religion specifically. I just want to stimulate the mind with something different for a change. Here goes...
Most forms of insurance are sold through agents. Individuals who preach (hint) the advantages and disadvantages of coverage and what might happen to you if you don’t have it. Well, isn’t that similar to ministers, priests and rabbi’s or any similar figure in a different religion? Ever heard while sitting there in a congregation what would happen to your soul if you don’t believe or accept/believe certain teachings? Parallel? Possibly.
How about the actual insurance policy? The document that tells you what is covered, what can void coverage and what you have to do to secure coverage. Well, isn’t that what the Bible is? How about the Koran? Now, I have never read either from cover to cover, but my cursory knowledge of both lends me to believe that these books contain similar information concerning what you need to do to get, and keep, your soul protected from eternal damnation.
And last, why do people buy insurance? They want to know they are protected in the event of a catastrophe. That when the worst happens, they will be made whole. It makes them feel comfortable and sleep better at night. Why do some people practice religion? Well, in the event of the inevitable (yes, we all will die one day) they feel their soul will be in good hands for eternity. The theory is that you pay a premium (insurance) or buy into the teachings (religion) so that you benefit from the payoff in the end.
Yes, it sounds a bit crude and sarcastic about religion, but let’s be honest, not everyone in the same religion believes the same thing. And if you think they do, then you are sadly misleading yourself. Yes, I believe in God, but I don’t buy into the notion that I cannot ask questions or have an opinion other than one force fed to me. I was that kid in Sunday school that always had his hand raised. Religion and insurance contain complexities beyond the simple comparisons made here and differ on many levels, but you have to admit, some similarities do exist.
So, I was at a happy hour with Melissa and her co-worker and her fiancé and a very interesting statement was made, as they usually are at happy hours. The statement was that religion might be the oldest form of insurance. Hmmm. That struck a cord within me, being that I am an insurance professional. Is religion the oldest form of insurance? At first, I didn’t think much of it, but it kept coming back to me with some thought provoking parallels (some weak, some strong).
So, before I get deep into this, I want to make a disclaimer that I am not trashing religion in general or any religion specifically. I just want to stimulate the mind with something different for a change. Here goes...
Most forms of insurance are sold through agents. Individuals who preach (hint) the advantages and disadvantages of coverage and what might happen to you if you don’t have it. Well, isn’t that similar to ministers, priests and rabbi’s or any similar figure in a different religion? Ever heard while sitting there in a congregation what would happen to your soul if you don’t believe or accept/believe certain teachings? Parallel? Possibly.
How about the actual insurance policy? The document that tells you what is covered, what can void coverage and what you have to do to secure coverage. Well, isn’t that what the Bible is? How about the Koran? Now, I have never read either from cover to cover, but my cursory knowledge of both lends me to believe that these books contain similar information concerning what you need to do to get, and keep, your soul protected from eternal damnation.
And last, why do people buy insurance? They want to know they are protected in the event of a catastrophe. That when the worst happens, they will be made whole. It makes them feel comfortable and sleep better at night. Why do some people practice religion? Well, in the event of the inevitable (yes, we all will die one day) they feel their soul will be in good hands for eternity. The theory is that you pay a premium (insurance) or buy into the teachings (religion) so that you benefit from the payoff in the end.
Yes, it sounds a bit crude and sarcastic about religion, but let’s be honest, not everyone in the same religion believes the same thing. And if you think they do, then you are sadly misleading yourself. Yes, I believe in God, but I don’t buy into the notion that I cannot ask questions or have an opinion other than one force fed to me. I was that kid in Sunday school that always had his hand raised. Religion and insurance contain complexities beyond the simple comparisons made here and differ on many levels, but you have to admit, some similarities do exist.
Thursday, May 17, 2007
The drive to Nederland, TX gives a person a lot of time to think
Sometimes in life there are things that make you go hmmmm…
What would maple cream gravy taste like?
“Please make sure your hands are clean and dry before use.” Why would you find this wording on a hand sanitizer machine?
The enjoyment of a job where you smell, and sometimes taste, milk to determine its quality.
FYI – from an expert (not myself), it is okay to drink milk, that has been refrigerated, up to 7 days after the date on the container. Now if you pour it and it lumps out, throw it out.
And my favorite…
The intelligence of an individual, or group of individuals, who willingly gives the keys to their car to a homeless person to park on a busy street.
I can see the conversation now…
Insurance agent/police officer – “When did you last see your vehicle?
Idiot – “When I gave the keys to the guy to park it on M street.”
IA/PO – “And which valet company was it?”
Idiot – “Oh, he wasn’t valet, it was the homeless guy.”
What would maple cream gravy taste like?
“Please make sure your hands are clean and dry before use.” Why would you find this wording on a hand sanitizer machine?
The enjoyment of a job where you smell, and sometimes taste, milk to determine its quality.
FYI – from an expert (not myself), it is okay to drink milk, that has been refrigerated, up to 7 days after the date on the container. Now if you pour it and it lumps out, throw it out.
And my favorite…
The intelligence of an individual, or group of individuals, who willingly gives the keys to their car to a homeless person to park on a busy street.
I can see the conversation now…
Insurance agent/police officer – “When did you last see your vehicle?
Idiot – “When I gave the keys to the guy to park it on M street.”
IA/PO – “And which valet company was it?”
Idiot – “Oh, he wasn’t valet, it was the homeless guy.”
Monday, May 07, 2007
One More Candle to Blow Out
Well, once again, the Lord blessed me with seeing another April 10 come and go. That makes 28 in all now. I cannot say I feel wiser as each passes by. I think I do some things better, and some things I seem to not ever be able to get right, and some things I just do the same over and over again. One thing I have learned is that I have a lot of friends and family that love me and care about me. It is something I try not to take for granted and want to always say thank you and recognize those that do things for me that they don’t have to do. So, at this time, in this particular blog, I want to express my heartfelt gratitude that made my 28th birthday a spectacular one.
Everyone does their own thing. Some people call, some people email, some drink, etc... The point is, no one HAD to do anything. No one email or phone is more important than another in a cosmic sense, but I would be remiss to not take extra time to say a great big thanks to a few certain individuals.
First off, Melissa went above and beyond (as she often does) for my birthday. Starting with saying Happy Birthday at 12:01 am, she got me a gift certificate for a hot lather shave at a men’s spa and called the Baltimore orioles to get my name on the Jumbotron at the game we went to on that Friday to name a few things. I always tell her that she does way more than needed, but she never listens. Thanks.
My mother called me and kept calling to make sure that her baby boy heard her sing Happy Birthday on his day. This especially made me feel good as I waited in line at the DMV. She also sponsored a new pair of shoes. On another front, Cory and Regina flew over 1,000 miles apiece to spend the weekend in the nation’s capital celebrating good times. Just want you to know I enjoyed the visit.
Then there were the party goers. From karaoke to straight double vodka shots to Fuddruckers at 3am, these folks put in some hard work. So, here’s to Gavin and Jennifer Daniels, Brittany Eck, Curtis Coleman, Elizabeth Sowecke, Melissa, Cory, Regina, Damen Hymes, Kimberly Handler, Isabelle Dusfour, Jennifer Neuberger, Neelum Arya and Francisco Garcia.
Over the week, there were countless others who sent cards, (email and snail mail), emails, phone calls and text messages. I am going to do my best to remember everyone, but I am sure I missed someone. If I did, it was not ill-intentioned. Here goes...
Thank for your wishes on my birthday Roger Mays, Beverly Butler, Stephanie Butler, Dawn Michelle Samuels, Annisa Joubert, Ralph Butler, Jackie Tealer, Camille Tealer, Christopher Smith, Cornell Woolridge, Melissa Fowler, April Somers, Candice Jessup, Mary Kay Herbst, Renee Meaux, Darby Roberts, Taylor Haglund, Melissa Hammond, Jennifer Daniels, Ellen Greene, Susan Hahn, Michelle Montgomery, Regina Perkins, Cory Wagoner, Kirsten Bode, Princess Apple, G-mama Kassle, Jennifer Neuberger, Isabelle Dusfour, Michael Portnoy, Kristi Zipp, Damen Hymes, Anthony Jones, Rose Jones, Kirsten Dartnell, Emily Joyner, Kristen Holland, Jennifer Burrus, David Wiltsey, Anne Russell, Lisa Tyson, Lexi Shuey, Krista Sawtelle, Neelum Arya, Francisco Ramirez, Linda Higdon, Linda Fortson, Sheila Claytor, Tina McGuire, Duncan Manley, Vickie Harrell, Ross Hess, Chris Lamon, Shannon Davis Hunter, Christan Collins-Awad, Curtis Coleman, Brittany Eck, Panache Resturant, The Russia House Lounge, Elizabeth Sowecke, Amanda Hemati, and Eric Hemati.
Everyone does their own thing. Some people call, some people email, some drink, etc... The point is, no one HAD to do anything. No one email or phone is more important than another in a cosmic sense, but I would be remiss to not take extra time to say a great big thanks to a few certain individuals.
First off, Melissa went above and beyond (as she often does) for my birthday. Starting with saying Happy Birthday at 12:01 am, she got me a gift certificate for a hot lather shave at a men’s spa and called the Baltimore orioles to get my name on the Jumbotron at the game we went to on that Friday to name a few things. I always tell her that she does way more than needed, but she never listens. Thanks.
My mother called me and kept calling to make sure that her baby boy heard her sing Happy Birthday on his day. This especially made me feel good as I waited in line at the DMV. She also sponsored a new pair of shoes. On another front, Cory and Regina flew over 1,000 miles apiece to spend the weekend in the nation’s capital celebrating good times. Just want you to know I enjoyed the visit.
Then there were the party goers. From karaoke to straight double vodka shots to Fuddruckers at 3am, these folks put in some hard work. So, here’s to Gavin and Jennifer Daniels, Brittany Eck, Curtis Coleman, Elizabeth Sowecke, Melissa, Cory, Regina, Damen Hymes, Kimberly Handler, Isabelle Dusfour, Jennifer Neuberger, Neelum Arya and Francisco Garcia.
Over the week, there were countless others who sent cards, (email and snail mail), emails, phone calls and text messages. I am going to do my best to remember everyone, but I am sure I missed someone. If I did, it was not ill-intentioned. Here goes...
Thank for your wishes on my birthday Roger Mays, Beverly Butler, Stephanie Butler, Dawn Michelle Samuels, Annisa Joubert, Ralph Butler, Jackie Tealer, Camille Tealer, Christopher Smith, Cornell Woolridge, Melissa Fowler, April Somers, Candice Jessup, Mary Kay Herbst, Renee Meaux, Darby Roberts, Taylor Haglund, Melissa Hammond, Jennifer Daniels, Ellen Greene, Susan Hahn, Michelle Montgomery, Regina Perkins, Cory Wagoner, Kirsten Bode, Princess Apple, G-mama Kassle, Jennifer Neuberger, Isabelle Dusfour, Michael Portnoy, Kristi Zipp, Damen Hymes, Anthony Jones, Rose Jones, Kirsten Dartnell, Emily Joyner, Kristen Holland, Jennifer Burrus, David Wiltsey, Anne Russell, Lisa Tyson, Lexi Shuey, Krista Sawtelle, Neelum Arya, Francisco Ramirez, Linda Higdon, Linda Fortson, Sheila Claytor, Tina McGuire, Duncan Manley, Vickie Harrell, Ross Hess, Chris Lamon, Shannon Davis Hunter, Christan Collins-Awad, Curtis Coleman, Brittany Eck, Panache Resturant, The Russia House Lounge, Elizabeth Sowecke, Amanda Hemati, and Eric Hemati.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
