[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 10 (Tuesday, January 24, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E67]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       CONGRATULATING MIKE ABRAMS

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. BRUCE L. BRALEY

                                of iowa

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, January 24, 2012

  Mr. BRALEY of Iowa. Mr. Speaker, today, I'd like to congratulate Mike 
Abrams on his new position with the Ohio Hospital Association. Mike has 
been at the Iowa Medical Society for 15 years, and he has been a friend 
and adviser to me since I came to Congress in 2007.
  For years, Iowa has suffered from unfair Medicare reimbursement 
rates, and a flawed equation that determines payments. Within the first 
few months of my Congressional career, Mike was in my office helping me 
find solutions to that problem. It was only with Mike's help that we 
were able to increase payments to Iowa doctors, and take significant 
steps towards a reimbursement structure based on quality of care, not 
just quantity of care. He has been a resource to me, and he often 
served as my ``lifeline'' during late-night, high-level health care 
negotiations over the last few years.
  Mike's knowledge and understanding of current health care issues is 
matched only by his terrific wit and shining personality. Iowa doctors 
and patients have benefited from his time at Iowa Medical Society, and 
he has helped me advocate for improved access to health care in Iowa. 
Thank you, Mike, and we wish you the best in your new endeavor.

                          ____________________