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Re: March Madness Live For Free: How To Watch NCAA Tournament Games Online For Free Via CokeZero Promotion

Samir Housri — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 16:39:08 -0000

You can also listen for free on your smartphone with the Slacker Radio app

Re: Do Your MBA Where You Want To Be A VC

Samir Housri — Sat, 19 Mar 2011 15:21:31 -0000

I think this is spot on particularly if you are shooting for a job directly after your MBA. The key message is that you need to be local and get to know the community.

That said, if VC doesn't pan out right after school or you decide to get some more work experience first, the region where you do your MBA doesn't mean as much. In this case, it's important that you take a job that is in the region you want to be a VC and stay connected to the community.

Re: Crowding Out the Recession

Samir Housri — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 23:02:11 -0000

No offense taken, your explanation was useful in helping me understand the root of the problem. It always comes down to those stubborn physicians, doesn't it! I come from a family of physicians so I know how difficult it can be to make them change their ways. And in all honesty you can't blame the physicians for not wanting to implement a system that makes it easier to change doctors. While the benefit to the ecosystem of EMR is large, the benefit to the doctor is not (or perceived not to be). So maybe the next phase in solving this problem is figuring out how to make this process worthwhile for the physician...

Re: Crowding Out the Recession

Samir Housri — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 18:38:39 -0000

I will have to take a look at your other post from today, looks like it has some interesting things in there about inflation and such.

About EMR, you are clearly more knowledgeable about the topic than I, but what I still don't understand is why it is laughable to implement the system in a time of difficulty. I agree with you that it has been very difficult to gain traction, but as we both can probably agree making something happen usually comes down to execution, and it doesn't seem like there has been a coordinated effort with enough authority and PR muscle to sell EMR as a valuable solution.

The way I see it with nationalized healthcare, rising costs and an aging population the biggest beneficiary of EMR is the US govt and it's citizens. This is a great time to sell EMR as part of our nation's infrastructure. Times of difficulty are often the best times to make long term centralized investments in our countries infrastructure (Interstate highway, Hydroelectric energy, etc). Not only will it help to save us money in the future, but it would help create good, technology, healthcare, and management related jobs here in the US.

I believe your data about poor adoption rates and the skepticism in the industry of any real change, and I agree nothing major will happen, but that is assuming we stay the course. If the administration plans to truly make this a priority I think they need to tackle some the major roadblocks which I understand to be
1) Cost
2) Privacy
3) Adoption

To do this I think they should
1) Create favorable subsidies in terms of grants and low cost financing to implement EMR systems at hospitals, clinics, etc.
2) Use some of the stimulus package on infrastructure to a create centralized infrastructure for the collection, and analysis of medical data, think of it as a clearinghouse of medical information that will be accessible to universities, pharmaceutical firms, and anyone else who would find this useful. This infrastructure would increase the value of the ecosystem and begin making it attractive for more players in the system to adopt EMR
3) Pass privacy law that would make all of this possible, with a Democratic house and senate (which is a little scary) we could actually get something passed

While, I’m no expert on EMR I think that properly executed it can be a reality in this environment. Whether or not we have the leadership to do so is yet to be seen.

Re: Crowding Out the Recession

Samir Housri — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 16:36:28 -0000

Great post Mark. I have to agree that the Obama administration has a daunting task ahead of them and will face unforeseen challenges but I do not think that the crowding out effect will be a major issue for two reasons.
1) Crowding out become a major issue when the economy is close to full capacity, which we are not at
2) You're assuming the fed will not try to keep the cost of borrowing low, which based on their recent actions, is exactly what they are doing.

I think one of the biggest threats we face long term is controlling inflation once the effect of all the excess liquidity hits the markets. This is something that I think the fed is very aware of and will be keeping a close eye on.

Regarding your point on the Obama administration being very likely to fail in implementing EMR, the verdict is still out, however I disagree with your statement that getting this accomplished in a downturn is laughable. I think this is an opportune time to do this for the following reasons

1) Much resistance of moving to EMR has come from an older generation of doctors who were neither accustom nor comfortable with technology. This generation is on it's way in to retirement with a newer generation of physicians who are more tech savvy and accustom to today’s lower margin healthcare system
2) No one can argue the financial and medical benefits of EMR and it is at times like this when times are tight and costs must be cut that options that help bring costs down become more attractive.
3) Obama's focus on healthcare "could" mean funding for EMR that would make the initial capex palatable.