[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 174 (Wednesday, December 2, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1695]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    HONORING DR. JAN SONANDER, M.D.

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MIKE THOMPSON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 2, 2015

  Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Dr. 
Jan Sonander for his leadership, commitment, and determination over a 
decade to update the Geographic Practice Cost Index (GPCI) system in 
California and abolish the flawed Sustainable Growth Rate (SGR).
  Medicare's GPCI system pays physicians based on the cost of providing 
care in their geographic region. However, since 1997, the Medicare 
geographic payment localities have not been updated, leading many 
Sonoma County physicians to be underpaid. This problem was exacerbated 
by concurrent flaws in Medicare's SGR.
  Since 2000, Dr. Sonander has been a tireless advocate for GPCI and 
SGR reforms. His proposed changes would have updated payment localities 
for physicians, and improved access to high-quality care for all Sonoma 
County residents. Dr. Sonander led a nationwide letter campaign, 
encouraging Congress to consider funding the proposed changes while 
writing articles to keep peers informed of his efforts. Those efforts 
ultimately paid off, as the geographic payment system has been updated 
and the SGR has been eliminated. Dr. Sonander was essential to that 
progress.
  Leading by example, Dr. Sonander focuses a significant portion of his 
practice caring for the disabled, working as a hospitalist at Santa 
Rosa Memorial Hospital while also serving as Chief of Staff. He has 
been active in the Sonoma County Medical Association (SCMA) and the 
California Medical Association for 26 years. He has served on several 
committees, including a stint as President of the SCMA Board of 
Directors in 2003. As a civic role model, philanthropist, medical 
professional, and political activist, Dr. Sonander's work has placed 
health care for all Sonoma County residents in safe hands.
  Mr. Speaker, it is appropriate at this time that we acknowledge Dr. 
Jan Sonander for his extraordinary work.

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