[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 37 (Tuesday, March 1, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E196-E197]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    IN SPECIAL RECOGNITION OF DAVE KISHLER UPON HIS RETIREMENT FROM 
                                NETSMART

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. MARKWAYNE MULLIN

                              of oklahoma

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, March 1, 2022

  Mr. MULLIN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the career of 
Dave Kishler, a Senior Industry Relations Strategist at Netsmart. The 
company provides health information technology solutions to tens of 
thousands of public and private nonprofit mental health, human services 
and senior service organizations throughout the United States serving 
millions of Americans with mental illnesses, substance use disorders 
and other disabilities. Dave announced his retirement from Netsmart at 
the end of 2021 after a rich and extremely productive 30-year career 
with the company.
  Among many other duties, Dave was responsible for Netsmart's 
relationships with patient advocacy organizations and trade 
associations representing Community Mental Health Centers, providers of 
rehabilitation services for persons with Intellectual and Developmental 
Disabilities (I/DD) and home care providers serving seniors. But I got 
to know Dave during our work together on legislative amendments to 42 
CFR Part 2--a outdated federal privacy law that inhibited the sharing 
of clinical information for persons with major substance use disorders.

[[Page E197]]

  When one of the committees I serve on--the House Energy & Commerce 
Committee--held public hearings to examine the real-world impact of the 
law, Dave assisted my office and committee staff in truly understanding 
how ``Part 2'' obstructed the exchange of clinical data that made care 
coordination for people with Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) nearly 
impossible. Because of his diligent efforts and the patient stories he 
brought to our attention, the Congress ultimately passed legislative 
amendments in the CARES Act that facilitated the exchange of vital 
information among hospitals, residential treatment centers and 
community-based providers. Once implemented, I am convinced that these 
statutory changes will save lives.
  By reflecting on Dave's career, we recognize both his enormous 
personal contributions as well as the tremendous value of public-
private partnerships in improving the lives of our most vulnerable 
citizens. I thank Dave, and congratulate him on this significant 
milestone.

                          ____________________