[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 120 (Thursday, September 4, 2003)]
[Senate]
[Pages S11114-S11115]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    TRIBUTE TO PAUL WALLACE-BRODEUR

 Mr. JEFFORDS. Madam President, I rise today to pay tribute to 
Paul Wallace-Brodeur, an outstanding Vermonter and a national leader in 
the area of health care reform. As he prepares to retire from his 
position as Director of the Office of Vermont Health

[[Page S11115]]

Access in Waterbury, VT, it is important to reflect on how much one 
person can accomplish in serving others.
  Paul has been on the forefront of significant and timely health care 
concerns. As Medicaid director, which is Vermont's second largest 
insurance program, Paul has ensured service for 130,000 people and 
helped Vermont obtain the distinction of having one of the lowest 
uninsured rates in the country. Under Paul's leadership, Vermont 
broadened its eligibility standards and was one of the first States in 
the country to expand Medicaid services to children under the Dr. 
Dynasaur program.
  Paul began his career in Vermont as a social worker at the Brandon 
Training School. He quickly rose to leadership positions as a direct 
provider and then consultant in the field of mental health, followed by 
his position as the Chief Social Worker for the Vermont State Hospital. 
It came as no surprise to those of us who know Paul that he was 
selected in the mid-'80s to lead the State of Vermont's efforts in 
creating universal access to health care as the Executive Director of 
the Vermont Health Policy Council and through his work for the Vermont 
Health Care Authority. Also during the mid-'80s he spearheaded the 
creation of the Vermont Ethics Network, an organization dedicated to 
increasing the understanding of ethical issues, values and choices in 
health and health care.
  Over the course of 40 years, Paul has been involved with virtually 
every health policy initiative in Vermont, particularly the State's 
efforts to expand health coverage. He is personally responsible for 
authoring Vermont's 1115 waiver, which over the years, and with many 
amendments, has provided more expansive and flexible Medicaid services 
to Vermonters. In his quiet unassuming way, Paul is an integral part of 
the health care delivery system in Vermont and has gained recognition 
for being a national health policy leader and mentor. He has always 
brought a steadfast commitment and institutional knowledge to solving 
the problem at hand while maintaining a vision for improving Vermont's 
health care system.
  Paul's unwavering commitment toward improving the health status of 
Vermont and its citizens serves as a testament to us all. Vermont is 
truly indebted to him. His deep commitment to the citizens of the Green 
Mountain State has endeared him to us. He has our best wishes for the 
future.

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