A pivotal period

So its come down to this - last Saturday morning the members of the Maryland House Appropriations Committee, Health and Human Resources Subcommittee (say that 3 times fast) met. The Senate Capital Budget Subcommittee meets this Friday afternoon to decide the fate of the $4.5 million for the Green House at Stadium Place which is proposed in the Governors FY 2010 capital budget.

I had the interetsting experience of testifying before both of these committees. The Senate committee started exactly on time and had us in and out of there in under 5 minutes (a good sign I'm told) - special thanks to Senator McFadden for his supportive comments at the conclusion of our time. Meanwhile the House Committee peppered us with insightful and challeging questions which we aced (I hope).

I will keep you posted as the week progresses!

A difficult experience with a silver lining

OK, OK, I apologize for not posting again sooner. Unfortunately personal health issues which resulted in a weeks stay at Northwest Hospital Center got in the way, but the silver lining is that I got a first hand exposure to life in an "institutional setting".

The hospital is recently renovated, all private rooms, and an excellent and caring staff, but - wow - forced to be on their schedule: 4am every morning, time to have your blood drawn so the doctor can see the results when(ever) he comes by later in the day; 7am shift change, time to get cleaned up for the day, etc. -  and life in a 10x12 room 24/7 is enough to make you tear your hair out.

Net result - I am even more understanding of the need for culture change in the long term care industry, and have a much fuller appreciation of the benefits of the Green House model. We have to "bring this home" to Stadium Place!