[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 145 (1999), Part 18]
[Senate]
[Page 26612]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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                TRIBUTE TO THE HONORABLE BRUCE M. SELYA

 Mr. CHAFEE. Mr. President, for the past 5\1/2\ years, Judge 
Bruce Selya has served as Board Chairman of the Lifespan hospital 
system, a network of five hospitals in Rhode Island and Massachusetts. 
After an impressive tenure, he is stepping down from that post this 
week.
  As a United States Appeals Court Judge for the First Circuit, Judge 
Selya already has heavy responsibilities. Nevertheless, he approached 
this unpaid position with great energy and determination. He has been 
actively engaged in the health care debates in my state.
  Indeed, he was one of the chief architects of the Lifespan system, 
helping to bring about the initial merger between Rhode Island Hospital 
and Miriam Hospital in 1994. As Chairman, he oversaw the addition of 
Bradley Hospital, Newport Hospital, and Boston's New England Medical 
Center to the system. Together, those five hospitals offer more than 
1,600 beds. In 1998, they discharged more than 60,000 patients and 
treated nearly 200,000 emergency room visitors.
  Presumably, any one or more of these facilities might have been 
acquired by an out-of-state hospital network, reducing them to 
``satellite'' status and moving the decision-making authority out of 
Rhode Island. Thanks to Judge Selya's leadership and foresight, 
hospital decisions affecting quality of care for Rhode Islanders are 
still made within my state's borders.
  These past five years have been tumultuous times for the hospital 
industry, marked by changes in the Medicare and Medicaid programs, and 
difficulties in the private health insurance market. Judge Selya 
recognized these challenges as they came along, and he has been 
responsive to them.
  And so, Mr. President, I want to salute Judge Selya for his long-
standing commitment to quality health care for the people of Rhode 
Island. Bruce is a good friend and a long-time supporter, going back to 
before my first campaign for Governor in 1962. I look forward to 
continuing our close association in the years ahead.

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