Board Matter

January 14, 2014

Recognizing Howard Houghton

Madame Chairman:

I would like to recognize a recent retiree of Fairfax County, Howard Houghton. Throughout his 22 years of service as Manager for the Virginia Insurance Counseling and Assistance Program, he treated his career not as a job, but as a calling, using his expertise to improve and even save the lives of others in our community.

VICAP provides counsel on Medicare, Medigap, drug plans and long-term care insurance and Mr. Houghton took every opportunity to go above and beyond to serve the residents of Fairfax County.  He was at his best helping a client who was facing seemingly impossible odds. Everything would stop as he poured over federal regulations and fired off phone calls on behalf of the client. 

There are many examples of Howard’s tenacity and perseverance paying dividends for County residents. One such story involves a woman in Fairfax who was diagnosed with a debilitating lung disease. A drug that would halt the progression was prescribed but at $64,000 annually, and with her drug plan covering only 50 percent of the cost, a better, more affordable option was needed. After contacting VICAP and working with Howard, she was able to move to a different plan that dropped her per prescription cost to $140, saving her a good deal of money and greatly improving her quality of life. 

During his career with VICAP, Mr. Houghton won all of his more than 100 appeals. If he didn’t win at the first appeal level, he secured reversals at higher levels, including all cases presented to federal administrative law judges. Two of these hearing decisions have been added to the Center for Medicare Advocacy’s National Decision Database.

Houghton didn’t do it alone. He recruited and trained a skilled volunteer team of retired attorneys, government employees, and military officers to provide over-the-phone Medicare counseling. The volunteer program has received numerous awards including the state’s 2011 Best Volunteer Award.

Without objection, I ask that we invite Howard Houghton to come before the Board on a date to be determined so that he may be recognized for his dedication and service to Fairfax County residents.