[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 44 (Friday, April 7, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E553]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             TRIBUTE TO DR. RAY STOWERS' SERVICE TO MEDPAC

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JOHN SULLIVAN

                              of oklahoma

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 6, 2006

  Mr. SULLIVAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to a physician who 
has served my home State of Oklahoma and the Nation with distinction 
over the past 6 years. On April 20, 2006, Ray E. Stowers, D.O. will 
participate in his final meeting as a member of the Medicare Payment 
Advisory Commission (MedPAC).
  For the past 6 years, Dr. Stowers represented the interest of 
Medicare beneficiaries, physicians, and hospitals as a member of this 
distinguished Federal body. Most notably, he represented the interest 
of rural America. During his years of service, MedPAC made 
recommendations on several difficult health policy issues, including 
advice on how to establish and implement a prescription drug benefit 
within the Medicare program.
  Dr. Stowers spent over 25 years in a private, solo family practice 
clinic in northwest Oklahoma. At various times throughout his career, 
he was the only physician in the entire county. He provided care for 
the young and old alike. Many evenings were spent visiting the homes of 
those too ill to travel to his office.
  Following his years in practice, Dr. Stowers accepted a position as 
the Director of Rural Health at the Oklahoma State University College 
of Osteopathic Medicine (OSU-COM) in Tulsa, OK. This position allowed 
him to share his experiences with medical students and residents, while 
designing training programs to prepare them for practice in rural and 
underserved areas. The Rural Health Center has emerged as one of the 
premier rural training programs in the country and continues to provide 
a valuable service to the citizens of Oklahoma.
  Throughout his career, he has served the citizens of Oklahoma and the 
Nation well. Before serving on MedPAC, he was a member of the Physician 
Payment Review Commission (PPRC) prior to the formation of MedPAC in 
1997. Additionally, Dr. Stowers served 7 years on the American Medical 
Association's Relative Value Update Committee (RUC). He truly is one of 
the Nation's foremost experts on physician payment policies.
  Many will never understand or appreciate the time and energy Dr. 
Stowers dedicated to his service on MedPAC. However, as a Member of 
Congress representing constituents impacted by the policies developed 
by MedPAC, I appreciate the professional and caring manner in which he 
went about his duties. Mr. Speaker, on behalf of my fellow Oklahomans I 
would like to thank Dr. Stowers for his service and wish him the best 
in his future endeavors.

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