[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 23]
[Senate]
[Pages 31873-31874]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                    TRIBUTE TO PAUL WALLACE-BRODEUR

 Mr. JEFFORDS. Mr. President, today I pay tribute to Paul 
Wallace-Brodeur, an outstanding Vermonter and a national leader in the 
area of health care reform. As he prepares to retire from his position 
as director of the Office of Vermont Health Access in Waterbury, VT, it 
is important to reflect on how much one person can accomplish in 
serving others.
  Paul has been on the forefront of providing individuals with greater 
access to the health care delivery system. As the State Medicaid 
director, which is Vermont's second largest insurance program, Paul 
helped Vermont obtain the distinction of having one of the lowest 
uninsured rates in the country. Under Paul's leadership, Vermont 
broadened its eligibility standards and was one of the first States in 
the country to expand Medicaid services to children under the Dr. 
Dynasaur program. During his tenure, Medicaid programs grew to cover 
143,313 Vermonters.
  Paul began his career in Vermont as a social worker at the Brandon 
Training School. He quickly rose to leadership positions as a direct 
provider and then consultant in the field of mental

[[Page 31874]]

health, followed by his position as the chief social worker for the 
Vermont State Hospital. It came as no surprise to those of us who know 
Paul that he was selected in the mid-1980s to lead the State of 
Vermont's efforts in creating universal access to health care as the 
executive director of the Vermont Health Policy Council and through his 
work for the Vermont Health Care Authority. Also during the mid-1980s 
he spearheaded the creation of the Vermont Ethics Network, an 
organization dedicated to increasing the understanding of ethical 
issues, values, and choices in health and health care.
  Over the course of 40 years, Paul has been involved with virtually 
every health policy initiative in Vermont, particularly the State's 
efforts to expand health coverage. He is personally responsible for 
authoring Vermont's 1115 waiver, which over the years, and with many 
amendments, has provided more expansive and flexible Medicaid services 
to Vermonters. In his quiet unassuming way, Paul is an integral part of 
the health care delivery system in Vermont and has gained recognition 
for being a national health policy leader and mentor. He has always 
brought a steadfast commitment and institutional knowledge to solving 
the problem at hand while maintaining a vision for improving Vermont's 
health care system.
  Paul's unwavering commitment toward improving the health status of 
every Vermont citizen is a great lesson for all public servants. 
Vermont is truly indebted to him. His deep commitment to the citizens 
of the Green Mountain State has endeared him to us. He has our best 
wishes for the future.

                          ____________________