[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 107 (Wednesday, June 28, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1347]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                     HEALTH COST FIGHTER MOVING ON

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                        HON. FORTNEY PETE STARK

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 28, 1995
  Mr. STARK. Mr. Speaker, at the close of this month, Tom Elkin will be 
stepping down from his position as assistant executive officer for 
health benefits for the California Public Employees' Retirement System. 
I would like to take this opportunity to thank Tom for the great work 
he has done for CalPERS and the people of California.
  Tom's energy, knowledge, and enthusiasm are key reasons why the 
CalPERS board entrusted him to guide the system's health program. He 
has been instrumental in CalPERS' success in holding down health 
insurance costs for the nearly 1 million people who receive health 
benefits through CalPERS and actually obtaining cost reductions in the 
last 2 years through hard bargaining with providers. Under his 
management, the CalPERS health program has maintained quality and 
choice for its participants while keeping providers honest and focused 
on those who come to them for care.
  During the 103d Congress, CalPERS was used as a paradigm by many 
players in the health reform debate who sought to reproduce the 
system's savvy use of its market power to negotiate with health care 
providers. Tom Elkin's skill and diligence created this enviable record 
of quality and cost containment which has made CalPERS a model for 
health care management for the 21st century.
  California will miss the service of this distinguished public 
servant, who is moving on to new challenges. I wish Tom the best for 
the future.


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