[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 184 (Monday, November 18, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1457]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                             STEVEN SUMMER

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. ED PERLMUTTER

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, November 18, 2019

  Mr. PERLMUTTER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Steven 
Summer, who after 45 years in the healthcare arena, including 13 years 
leading the Colorado Hospital Association, is retiring. From Medicaid 
expansion to advancing hospital safety improvements, Steven's four and 
a half decades of service have resulted in work to improve the quality, 
access, and payment innovations in healthcare systems.
  Steven began his career with the Association of American Medical 
Colleges, moving first to the Maryland Hospital Association, and then 
serving as President and CEO of the West Virginia Hospital Association, 
before capping his career for the past 13 years at the helm of the 
Colorado Hospital Association. These positions reflect his talent for 
bringing people together and fostering and strengthening collaboration 
in developing healthcare policy and finding healthcare delivery system 
solutions--and all with a smile on his face.
  Steven's consensus-building approach contributed to Colorado's 
successful Medicaid expansion, the creation of Colorado's Telehealth 
Network, and advanced an innovative substance use disorder treatment 
partnership between emergency physicians and hospitals to find 
alternatives to opioids, which serves as a model for other states. 
Programs like the alternatives to opioids effort have been incorporated 
in federal opioid legislation and many of CHA's initiatives under his 
leadership have informed federal policy and decision-making in 
Washington.
  Throughout his career, Steven has provided countless time and 
resources to his community by serving on local and state healthcare 
boards and commissions, volunteering with the Kavod Senior Life Home, 
and many local programs like school and youth organizations.
  I congratulate Steven on a lifetime of service and wish him all the 
best in retirement.

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