[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 71 (Wednesday, May 1, 2019)]
[House]
[Pages H3343-H3344]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              CONGRATULATING DAVID BLOM ON HIS RETIREMENT

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Ohio 
(Mr. Stivers) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. STIVERS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the career of 
Dave Blom as he retires after 17 years of service as president and CEO 
of OhioHealth this July.
  While his leadership in the industry is unparalleled, as a veteran, I 
want to focus on what strikes me about Dave the most, and that is his 
commitment to improving access to healthcare for those who have served 
our Nation.
  In 2014, the Department of Veterans Affairs was facing rising numbers 
nationally, and, unfortunately, many veterans were not receiving the 
good care that they deserved. As a result, the Congressional Commission 
on Care was formed, a 15-person task force that would make 
recommendations about how to best serve our Nation's veterans with 
healthcare.
  I knew Dave's knowledge of healthcare and longstanding commitment to 
our Nation's heroes made him an outstanding candidate for that 
Commission, and I was proud to work with my colleagues, Representative 
Beatty and Representative Tiberi, at the time, to secure him 
an appointment from Speaker Boehner.

  In 2015, Dave Blom and the Commission got to work. After over 10 
months

[[Page H3344]]

of effort, they ultimately produced 18 reforms for the VA and Congress, 
including the VA Mission Act, which gives veterans access to local 
providers outside the VA system and guarantees timely access to care.
  Dave was a vital contributor to these reforms, and I know he counts 
his time on the Commission among the most rewarding experiences of his 
life.
  It is impossible to quantify the impact that he has had on the lives 
of millions of veterans and their families across this country, but it 
is certain to resonate with veterans far into the future.
  I am incredibly grateful for Dave's service and his leadership, and I 
wish him all the best in his next chapter of life. I am confident that 
he will remain involved in central Ohio and its communities for a long 
time to come. I am also fortunate to call him a friend. He is a great 
leader in healthcare, and he has been a great leader for our country.
  I thank Dave Blom for his service to our veterans, and I congratulate 
him on an incredible career in healthcare.

                          ____________________