Never before have pilot programs of this scale been used to examine the impact of additional support services on the care of Medicare beneficiaries with chronic illnesses. We're excited to begin this important initiative. I'm confident that the results of our Tennessee program will help to show that providing additional resources to these beneficiaries and their physicians makes sound economic sense.

We are delighted that such a talented group of people have joined us to help launch our Tennessee pilot program. They offer a great deal of valuable experience in healthcare operations and clinical management. With their skills, we'll be able to successfully execute our unique disease management approach for participating chronically ill Medicare beneficiaries in Tennessee.

There may be ways in which we can support that. We'll have to see.

From a regional standpoint, these guys support Sacramento on a year-round basis,

We're clear on one thing, ... I support Freddy Ferrer.

I understand the dilemma and the risks I'm asking you to take. I'm asking you to support me and to allow me to run this office for one year the way I can maintain morale and keep two qualified people working. I can do that and meet your budgetary requirements, ... I can never do that and keep the courthouse happy. I don't try to do that. I've not tried that for 20 years. That's going to be impossible for me to do. I don't worry about anybody but my staff nor do I come in here and complain about what somebody else is getting. If you want to pay the folks in the clerk's office $60,000, I don't care. I'm talking about one person here and trying to sustain it for one year.