Former Senator John Breaux Presents "Ceasefire on Health Care Reform" with former HHS Secretaries Donna Shalala and Tommy Thompson

Breaux to seek common ground on health care reform with two of America’s top health care leaders

Washington, D.C., April 17, 2006—Continuing to build on the momentum of his bipartisan Ceasefire on Health Care campaign, former Louisiana Senator John Breaux today moderated a discussion with former HHS Secretaries Donna Shalala and Tommy Thompson on top care reform issues. During the discussion, the participants addressed a wide range of topics including the rising health care costs, the increasing number of uninsured Americans and reauthorization of the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP).

"When I first developed the concept of Ceasefire on Health Care, it was clear that in order to affect meaningful change, there had to be well-respected and knowledgeable individuals participating in the campaign," said Senator Breaux. "We have certainly achieved that today with two former HHS Secretaries, Donna Shalala and Tommy Thompson, who are among the most influential and accomplished health care experts in the nation. When they can find common ground on health solutions the rest of the nation needs to take notice and listen carefully to what they say."

"We are extremely fortunate to live in such a wealthy nation and we must find a way to ensure that all of our citizens have health insurance, particularly the children," said Secretary Shalala. "In 1997, we introduced SCHIP and it has been very successful in providing health insurance coverage to children whose parents could not otherwise afford it. As a proud participant in Senator Breaux’s bipartisan efforts to reform our country’s health care system, I urge Congress to reauthorize SCHIP since it is clearly an effective, incremental step for positive change."

"Health care must be affordable and accessible to those who need it," said Secretary Thompson. "In my roles as HHS Secretary and Governor of Wisconsin, I advocated for creative solutions to health care problems and emphasized the importance of preventative health care. I am very proud that the Medicare Modernization Act has expanded the preventative services available to Medicare beneficiaries. Wellness and prevention efforts are crucial components of health care reform initiatives and I applaud Senator Breaux for his outstanding work on convening health care experts from both sides of the aisle."

Today's event, as well as previous Ceasefire events, was sponsored by American University's Center for Congressional and Presidential Studies (CCPS). Professor James A. Thurber, director of CCPS said, "With his Ceasefire on Health Care campaign, Senator Breaux demonstrates his desire to cut through the political rhetoric and affect meaningful change. We are pleased to sponsor this initiative."

Previous Ceasefire bipartisan forums have featured Senator Hillary Clinton (D-NY) and former House Speaker Newt Gingrich; Senator Blanche Lincoln (D-AR) and Senator Gordon Smith (R-OR); Congressmen Robert Menendez (D-NJ) and Joe Schwarz (R-MI); Senator Johnny Isakson (R-GA) and Congressman David Scott (D-GA 13th); Republican pollster Bill McInturff and Democratic pollster Geoff Garin; and Brookings Institution scholar, Henry J. Aaron, Ph. D., and Heritage Foundation scholar Stuart M. Butler, Ph. D.

The series is made possible by a grant from Pfizer Inc.

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Established in 1979, CCPS provides an integrated teaching, research, and study program focusing on Congress and the presidency and the interactions of these two basic American institutions. CCPS is part of American University's School of Public Affairs which offers education in the fields of political science, public administration, public policy, and justice, on the undergraduate, graduate, and executive levels. American University is a leader in global education, enrolling a diverse student body from throughout the U.S. and more than 150 countries and providing opportunities for academic excellence, public service, and internships in the nation's capital and around the world.

* The “Ceasefire on Health Care” campaign is sponsored by American University's Center for Congressional and Presidential Studies and made possible by Pfizer Inc.