[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 162 (Monday, November 14, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1436]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




IN HONOR OF THOMAS P. TRAYLOR'S THIRTY-EIGHT YEARS WITH BOSTON MEDICAL 
CENTER AND HIS COMMITMENT TO PROVIDING QUALITY HEALTHCARE TO RESIDENTS 
                      OF BOSTON AND MASSACHUSETTS

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. STEPHEN F. LYNCH

                            of massachusetts

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, November 14, 2016

  Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of Thomas P. Traylor, 
in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the healthcare 
community in the City of Boston and across the Commonwealth of 
Massachusetts and to commend him for thirty-eight years of service to 
Boston Medical Center.
  Throughout Tom Traylor's career, in his roles as Vice President at 
Boston Medical Center, Vice President of Boston Medical Center's 
HealthNet Plan, Commissioner of Boston's Department of Health and 
Hospitals, and Chief Financial Officer of Boston's Department of Health 
and Hospitals, he was the ever-present, creative force driving health 
coverage and access for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, dedicating 
38 years of service to this mission.
  During that time, Tom inspired Massachusetts to participate in its 
critical first Medicaid 1115 Waiver to expand health coverage to the 
neediest populations in the Commonwealth. He was engaged in the design 
of each of the six succeeding waivers, directly impacting Massachusetts 
Medicaid for over twenty years. Tom was instrumental in creating 
funding models and mechanisms to support coverage expansion and the 
ability of Boston Medical Center and other safety net hospitals to 
continue to provide quality care to low income populations. And Tom's 
deep commitment to provide healthcare and coverage to our most 
vulnerable residents inspired him to create the BMC HealthNet plan, now 
one of the highest rated Medicaid plans in the country serving people 
in Massachusetts and in New Hampshire.
  Tom's successful collaboration with the multiple state 
administrations, Massachusetts legislature, Center for Medicare and 
Medicaid Services (CMS), and the Congressional delegation helped bring 
billions of dollars in funding to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts for 
access and coverage for low income populations. For all of his efforts, 
Tom was recognized nationally as a leader in his field and served as 
Chair of the National Association of Public Hospitals, and its 
successor organization America's Essential Hospitals.
  Tom's deep understanding of the potential of the Medicaid Waiver, as 
well as the politics and policy surrounding it, were the keys to 
success that enabled Boston Medical Center, and other safety net 
hospitals in Massachusetts, to grow and expand, leveraging federal 
support for access and coverage for residents of Boston and around the 
Commonwealth.
  Mr. Speaker, it is my honor to take the floor of the House today to 
thank Tom Traylor for his remarkable commitment to Boston Medical 
Center and the people of Boston and Massachusetts. I urge my colleagues 
to join me in recognizing Thomas P. Traylor's efforts and dedicated 
service to others.

                          ____________________