Marc Volavka plans to step down as executive director of the Pennsylvania Health Care Cost Containment Council.

Mr. Volavka, 57, currently on medical leave, will be retiring, the agency said in a news release received today. His last day of employment has not been determined. He was hired by the agency in 1993 and became executive director in 1998.

"Marc has been a valuable contributor to the council and to state government over many years, and we wish him well," said council Chairman David Kreider, a business community representative on the council. Other council members represent labor, health care providers, health insurers and several state agencies.

The council, a state agency that collects and analyzes data on the cost and quality of health care, has appointed David Wilderman, vice chairman of the council's executive committee, as acting executive director. He served as legislative director of the Pennsylvania AFL-CIO from 1982 through 2005.

Mr. Wilderman appointed Flossie Wolf, the council's director of health policy research, to a new position of acting deputy executive director.

The council has gained a widespread reputation for its innovative work in the public reporting of health care information, particularly heart bypass surgery outcomes, hospital-acquired infections and overall hospital performance.

More details in tomorrow's Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.