Former California Rep. Fortney "Pete" Stark, Jr., an influential Democrat whose legislative work helped reshape America's health care system, has died. He was 88.
Stark's family said he died Friday at his home in Maryland. They did not disclose a cause of death.
During his 40-year career in Congress representing the East Bay, Stark helped craft the Affordable Care Act, the signature policy change of the Obama administration. He also created the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act, the 1986 law best known as COBRA, which allows workers to stay on their employer's health insurance plan after they leave a job as long as they pay the full premium.
He also pushed for a law that requires hospitals that participate in Medicare or Medicaid to treat anyone seeking emergency treatment, regardless of their insurance status.
"Congressman Stark dedicated his life to defending every American's right to quality, affordable health care," House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said in a statement. She added that the laws he helped enact "made a difference in the lives of millions."
In an obituary posted online, Stark's family remembered him as a persistent champion of foster children and gay people, supporting laws that barred discriminating against LGBTQ people in adoptions, as well as paid family leave.
According to his family, Stark met a young Steve Jobs on a cross-country flight and later worked with him to write a bill providing tax credits to technology companies that donated computers to public schools.