Former Governor Tommy G. Thompson Joins The Bipartisan Policy Center as a Senior Fellow

Former HHS Secretary will also join BPC's Health Project

WASHINGTON, July 24, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Bipartisan Policy Center (BPC) announced today that former Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) and former Governor of Wisconsin Tommy G. Thompson is joining the organization as a senior fellow.  Governor Thompson will join BPC's Health Project with former U.S. Senate Majority Leaders Tom Daschle and Bill Frist, former Senator Pete V. Domenici, and former CBO and OMB Director Dr. Alice Rivlin.

BPC's Health Project issued a report in April on health care cost containment. Governor Thompson will work closely with the co-chairs and report authors to implement its recommendations. 

"Both parties, as well as all Americans, recognize the importance of quality health care at a fair cost. I'm eager to work with the Bipartisan Policy Center as we navigate solutions to these issues that I care very much about and believe we can find bipartisan support," said Governor Thompson.

Governor Thompson was the longest serving Governor of Wisconsin from 1987-2001 and served as HHS Secretary from 2001-2004 under President George W. Bush.  As HHS Secretary, he helped to expand coverage of health insurance to low-income Americans and brought attention to, and still does today, health issues surrounding obesity and diabetes.  He worked closely on the Presidential Emergency Plan for Aids Relief (PEPFAR) with Senator Frist.

"We are pleased to welcome Governor Thompson to the Bipartisan Policy Center," said BPC Co-founder Senator Daschle. "His voice as a respected member in his party and his track record of working across the aisle will be a tremendous asset to our work with both political parties."

"Governor Thompson recognizes the urgency of our mission on the health project. We are working to improve the quality and effectiveness of care while slowing the growth of spending. His experience as both a governor and HHS Secretary are just the right fit for our group," said Senator Frist, co-chair of BPC's Health Project.

"Governor Thompson's career has been marked by his devotion to conservative principles, but also by bipartisan accomplishments. We look forward to his guidance as we work to forge solutions to our health care system that proud Republicans and Democrats can embrace," said G. William Hoagland, BPC Senior Vice President.

About the Bipartisan Policy Center
Founded in 2007 by former Senate Majority Leaders Howard Baker, Tom Daschle, Bob Dole and George Mitchell, the Bipartisan Policy Center (BPC) is a non-profit organization that drives principled solutions through rigorous analysis, reasoned negotiation and respectful dialogue. With projects in multiple issue areas, BPC combines politically balanced policymaking with strong, proactive advocacy and outreach. For more information, please visit www.bipartisanpolicy.org.

SOURCE Bipartisan Policy Center