[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 38 (Wednesday, March 2, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E207]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          TRIBUTE TO PETER LEE

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. ANNA G. ESHOO

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, March 2, 2022

  Ms. ESHOO. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Peter V. Lee, the 
first and only Executive Director of the highly successful health 
benefit exchange, Covered California. He leaves the organization to 
`look for the next mountain to climb.'
  The story of the extraordinary success of Covered California is the 
history of Peter Lee's tenure. As of January 31, 2021, Covered 
California announced that 1,744,000 people, a new record high, had 
signed up for health coverage. Under Peter Lee's leadership, uninsured 
rates dropped 20.5 percent for Latinos, 12.4 percent for Asian 
Americans and African Americans, and 8.3 percent for Caucasians. All 
this has been achieved with rate increases kept low.
  Peter Lee was unanimously confirmed as Executive Director by the 
Covered California board on August 23, 2011. Prior to serving as 
Executive Director of Covered California, he was the Deputy Director of 
the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation at CMS where he worked 
to improve care and reduce costs. He was the Director of Delivery 
System Reform for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services from 
1995 to 2000 and the Executive Director of the Center for Health Care 
Rights. From 2000 to 2008, Peter was the CEO and Executive Director for 
National Health Policy of the Pacific Business Group on Health and the 
former Director of Programs for the National AIDS Network. Prior to 
this, Peter was a practicing attorney in Los Angeles.
  Peter Lee is a member of a pioneering California health care family 
and his work at Covered California continued in that proud tradition. 
His grandfather, Russel Van Arsdale Lee, founded the Palo Alto Medical 
Clinic (now the Palo Alto Medical Foundation). His father, Peter Lee, 
founded the Family Medicine Department at USC and, at risk to his 
career, spoke out in favor of Medicare in 1965. His uncle, Dr. Philip 
R. Lee, helped create and implement Medicare, and served in the Clinton 
Administration as an Assistant Health Secretary. His uncle, Dr. Hewlett 
Lee, was a highly regarded and well-loved surgeon. Peter earned his 
undergraduate degree from UC Berkeley and his law degree from USC.
  Peter Lee's work has improved the lives of millions of Californians 
and created a national model for other states to emulate. His tenure as 
Executive Director created a strong, vital organization well suited to 
continue its mission of service and innovation after his departure.
  Madam Speaker, I ask the entire House of Representatives to join me 
in honoring and thanking Peter Lee for his outstanding work and in 
wishing him every blessing as he enters the next chapter in his superb 
career.

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