[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 135 (Monday, September 29, 2003)]
[Senate]
[Pages S12133-S12134]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       RETIREMENT OF ROD L. BETIT

  Mr. HATCH. Mr. President, I rise today to pay special tribute to a 
wonderful public servant, Rod L. Betit, who is retiring after a long 
and distinguished career in public health policy and administration for 
the State of Utah. His leadership and integrity leave the Utah 
Department of Health with a long legacy of initiative and excellence.
  In 1992, Utah Gov. Norman Bangerter appointed Rod as the Executive 
Director of the Utah Department of Health making him the longest 
serving Health Director in the country. This appointment put him in 
charge of more than 1,300 employees with an annual budget in excess of 
$1 billion. While serving in this position, Rod established himself 
early on as an innovator, and someone who was not afraid to try new 
things. He developed a priority management approach for the Department 
which significantly improved the Department's ability to make progress 
in areas such as childhood immunization rates, tobacco control, 
American Indian health care system issues, youth suicide prevention, 
and health information systems development.
  In addition, Rod has designed and launched a number of innovative 
health access programs by obtaining special federally-approved waivers. 
Some of his greatest achievements have included the nation's only 
comprehensive public mental health system, a managed care program that 
focuses on moving nursing home residents back into the community; and 
more recently an initiative that uses a unique 1115 waiver under 
Medicaid that establishes a Primary Care Program that brings basic 
health coverage to 25,000 working Utahns whose employers do not offer 
health care coverage. More than 11,000 adults had enrolled in the first 
six months of this program. United States Health and Human Services 
Secretary Tommy Thompson had this to say about the new program: ``I am 
approving this waiver over the objections of my staff because I see 
great potential for this approach to help reduce the number of working 
uninsured throughout the country once its success has been demonstrated 
by Utah.''
  Rod's leadership abilities and vision prompted Utah Gov. Michael 
Leavitt to call on him for additional service in 1995 when he asked him 
to assume the role of the Executive Director of the Utah Department of 
Human Services while retaining his position with the Department of 
Health. This is the only time in Utah history that one person has been 
appointed to oversee two key agencies in state government. The 
Department of Human Services was facing some very difficult challenges 
at that time, and Rod, in true capable and courageous fashion, was able 
to step in

[[Page S12134]]

and make a difference. He solved some key problems and was able to 
return to running only the Department of Health 2 years later.
  Prior to assuming the role of Executive Director in 1992, Rod served 
as the Utah Director of the Division of Health Care Financing. In this 
position he was responsible for all facets of the state Medicaid 
program and the Utah Medical Assistance Program. Rod's experience 
directing the Alaska Medical Assistance Program for 12 years before 
coming to Utah had served him well, and established him as a capable 
leader.
  Rod has not only made a name for himself in Utah he is widely 
respected throughout the Nation. He is frequently called upon to 
represent the States' perspectives before Federal officials. He is a 
recognized expert on Medicaid and health care financing, and is widely 
viewed as an expert on health care reform.
  Rod is returning to his native Alaska to become the President and CEO 
of the Alaska State Hospital and Nursing Home Association. He will also 
be able to pursue his love of King salmon fishing, and to be near his 
family. He will be deeply missed throughout Utah for his expertise, 
commitment and leadership. I want to commend Rod for the exemplary 
service he has given to the Utah Department of Health, Utah State 
Government, and to our nation. He is not only a truly great public 
servant, he is a loving husband and father to his wife, Ellen, and 
their three children. I wish Rod the very best life has to offer and 
pray for his continued good health, success, and happiness.

                          ____________________