Former U.S. Rep. Fortney "Pete" Stark, a key leader in healthcare transformation, died Jan. 24 from leukemia, UPI reports. He was 88.
Mr. Stark, a Democrat representing Northern California in the House of Representatives for 40 years, "dedicated his life to defending every American's right to quality, affordable healthcare," House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., said.
Mr. Stark is credited with writing the Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act, which mandated all hospitals treat patients seeking emergency care regardless of coverage. He also created the COBRA initiative to help Americans keep some form of coverage after losing their jobs, and helped write parts of the ACA.
He is the name behind Stark Law, the regulation for physician self-referral for Medicare and Medicaid patients. The law was named after him, as he sponsored the initial bill.
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