Gallagher & Associates Law Firm, P.A. 
Client Matters
 
October 2009       
The Health Care Debate
By: Ellen Levett, Guest Columnist 
 
There are good arguments on both sides regarding Health Care Reform.  Few would argue that our system is not broken.  
 
According to the World Health Organization we paid more for  Total Health Expenditures as % of GDP(2000-2005) than all but one other country in the world and yet WHO ranked our health care system 37th in the World  in 2000 (the last time WHO created a ranking report). 
 
Right now there are bills being considered in the House and Senate.  The details change frequently.  It is a process.  There is no one final bill as yet.
 
One of the problems we have right now is that there is much misinformation being presented as fact.  Space prohibits a full discussion, but there are a couple of major rumors that I would like to address.
 
We hear a lot about "Death Panels" and  "They are going to kill Grandma" and "forced euthanasia".  "They" say it is written on Page 425 of the House bill.  Here is what page 425 says: "the clause on page 425 would require Medicare to pay doctors for their time if beneficiaries chose to consult them for information on advance care planning, such as making a living will, appointing a health proxy, and hospice care (already covered by Medicare)."  Yup!  That's it.  Paying doctors to discuss end of life issues if the patient chooses to inquire became "Death Panels".  Why such a bizarre break from reality?  That's another discussion.
 
Here's another one.  Opponents worry about "the denial of necessary procedures".  In fact, the Health Reform bills seek to prevent denial of care as currently practiced by insurance companies.  Not only do insurance companies not cover "pre-existing" conditions, they do everything in their power to terminate your policy if you have an expensive procedure.  The Health Reform bills would prohibit insurance companies from denying coverage of pre-existing conditions and from annual or lifetime limits on coverage.  No wonder the insurance companies are spending millions of dollars to fight Health Care Reform.  If you want your insurance company to continue to have the right to deny service and put limits on your coverage, please, fight Health Care Reform.
 
There is much, much more to be addressed.  My hope is that this article will encourage you to avoid the hype and seek out the facts.
At the Movies
By Alison Parker
 
Vigilantism-themed movies are nothing new, especially with the recent releases of movies like The Last House on the Left remake; Kill Bill; The Punisher; Death Sentence; The Brave One and the South Korean Vengeance trilogy, but Law Abiding Citizen offers a slight twist on the permeated genre.
 
Gerard Butler (who you may know from P.S. I Love You; Gamer; or as King Leonidas in 300) is the protagonist/counter-antagonist whose wife and daughter are murdered, but feels that the criminal justice system fails them when the Prosecutor (Oscar-winner Jamie Foxx) constructs a plea bargain that releases the killers. He then begins to ingeniously yet mercilessly pick off those whom he feels impeded justice for his family.
 
As a side note, Glaswegian-raised Butler has legal training as a solicitor, and perhaps this intimate dealing with the law helped him synch into the role so exquisitely. However, while the trailer is tame enough, I anticipate this movie will be graphically violent. More so than the highly re-watchable cult hit The Boondock Saints or the shadowy yet riveting awards-juggernaut Mystic River. Those looking for a vigilante cinematic excursion without the gore need look no further than The Ox-Bow Incident starring Henry Fonda, which is now on DVD. Law Abiding Citizen hits cinemas October 16.

Islamic Justice?
By Charles Gallagher 

A judge in Malaysia has upheld a court verdict to cane a Muslim woman for drinking beer.  The Malaysian High Court's affirmed the verdict against Kartika Sari Dewi Shukarno.  If the caning is carried out, Kartika would become the first Muslim woman to be caned in Malaysia.  

Kartika, a former model and nurse, was sentenced in July to six strokes of the cane and a fine of 5,000 ringgit ($1,400) for drinking beer in December 2007 at a beach resort in violation of Islamic laws. Islam forbids Muslims from drinking alcohol.

Kartika refused to appeal her sentence but the government asked the appellate court to review the verdict.
 
The caning would be done with a thin stick on the back and would be largely symbolic rather than aimed at causing pain.  But activists say even a gentle caning raises the broader question of whether such Islamic laws should intrude into Muslims' private lives and whether radical Islam is creeping into the judiciary.
 
G&A Summer Happy Hour

G&A Party SHot

Thanks to our clients and friends of the firm that made it out to our Summery Happy Hour on September 2.  We had a great turn-out and hope everyone had a good time.  Plans for our Holiday Party are currently underway.  Watch your email. 

Party 2

Race for the Cure
 
For the third year in a row, G&A is fielding a team in the Susan Komen Race for he Cure.  Race for the Cure will be held at Vinoy Park in St. Petersburg on October 3, 2009.
 
Team Gallagher Law is open and welcomes other runners and walkers.  Race for the Cure includes something for everyone, a 1 mile walk, 5K walk and competitive 5K and 10K.  Team members will receive our special edition "Dropping Our Briefs to Race for the Cure" t-shirt. 
 
To join our team, click here, Race for the Cure Sign Up.
In This Issue
The Health Care Debate
At the Movies
Islamic Justice
G&A Happy Hour
Race for the Cure
Attorney Spotlight
Ibrahim Ayyub, Esq.
 
Ibes 
Ibrahim "Ibes" Ayyub is a recent addition to the firm. He received his J.D. from Thomas M. Cooley Law School in 2006. Since moving back to Florida, Ibes has joined the Florida Bar. Although a longtime resident of the Tampa Bay area, he is originally from Lebanon.
 
While in Michigan, Ibes interned with a judge at the 55th District Court in Ingham County. In law school, he studied abroad in Mexico City. In Mexico, Ibes was able to vastly improve his Spanish. In total, Ibes speaks three languages and knows a bit of French.
 
In his spare time, Ibes enjoys going to the beach, and watching soccer. He is an avid supporter of FC Barcelona.  
 
Ibes married his longtime girlfriend, Erika, in September 2005, and is the oldest of four children. You can often find Ibes at his brother's hookah caf�, Shahrazad, in Tarpon Springs, at Tri-City Plaza Theatre, and at John's Pass. 
Paralegal Spotlight
Ginny Keeter-Bodkin 

Ginny

Ms. Keeter-Bodkin was born in New York, and has lived in Florida since 1991. 
 
She joined Gallagher & Associates in June 2007, and serves as both legal assistant and office manager. In the past, Ginny worked as a freelance artist in the Atlanta area. 
               
In her spare time she enjoys golf, cardio tennis, running, traveling and volunteering with the Alzheimer's Association.  
               
Ms. Keeter-Bodkin has an extensive travel r�sum�. Ginny particularly loves Prague and Budapest.  She also has a penchant for a certain Mediterranean peninsula: "I find a great warmth to Italy - the diversity of the landscapes and abundance of art in everyday life."
               
Until she can return to Europe, we here at Gallagher & Associates will enjoy the warmth she brings to the office.
G&A Email Directory
 
Charles R. Gallagher III [email protected]
 
Erika Mariz   
 
Joseph F. Milligan
 
Alison A. Parker
 
Ibrahim Ayyub
 
Jason A. Cox
 
    Ginny Keeter-Bodkin [email protected]
 
   Christine Heise [email protected]
  
 Mary Moser [email protected]
 
Cynthia Corder
 
About Our Firm
 
Gallagher & Associates Law Firm, P.A. accepts cases throughout the Tampa Bay area. 
 
Our main practice areas include: insurance litigation (including toxic mold, sinkholes, hurricane claims and denied insurance claims), real estate & business litigation (including foreclosure defense and lender mortgage fraud), accident/injury litigation, consumer law, and employment litigation. 
 
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