Press Release
Elmhurst Memorial Healthcare, Elmhurst College to host presentation on healthcare reform
For immediate release, September 15, 2009
Contact
Kyle Bauer, Public Relations Coordinator, 630-993-5702
ELMHURST — Former Oregon Governor John Kitzhaber has long been a vocal supporter of health care reform in the United States. On Oct. 6, he will be in Elmhurst to share thoughts during a presentation hosted by Elmhurst Memorial Healthcare (EMHC) and Elmhurst College.
“One of the central challenges of our time involves making the transition to a more sustainable future when so many of our jobs, our way of life and much of our economy remain deeply dependent on outdated programs and policies of the past,” said Governor Kitzhaber, who also practiced as an emergency medicine physician before starting his political career. “Whether the issue is health care, public education, energy or transportation, the political dynamic is the same.”
Governor Kitzhaber’s presentation, American Issues: Healthcare Reform, will be held on Oct. 6 at 7:30 p.m. in the Elmhurst College Frick Center Founders Lounge. The event is free, but registration is required. Please click here to register online or call the CareMatch event line at (630) 993-5885.
During his presentation, Governor Kitzhaber will use the current situation with the nation’s healthcare system to argue that successfully making a transition depends on an understanding of the danger inherent in clinging to the status quo.
“Healthcare reform is a complex topic with many differing viewpoints,” said Leo Fronza, EMHC president and chief executive officer. “This event represents an opportunity to share one perspective in hopes of creating thoughtful discussion on the matter.”
Governor Kitzhaber practiced emergency medicine in Roseburg, Oregon, for more than 15 years before being elected to the Oregon State House of Representatives and later to the Oregon State Senate. He was elected Governor of the State of Oregon in 1994 and re-elected in 1998. While in office he authored and implemented the groundbreaking Oregon Health Plan.
Since 2003, Governor Kitzhaber has served as President of the Estes Park Institute, which conducts six annual educational conferences for community hospitals. He also serves as the Director for the Center for Evidence Based Policy at Oregon Health & Science University in Portland and holds an endowed Chair on Health Care Policy with The Foundation for Medical Excellence, an Oregon-based public, nonprofit educational foundation. In 2006, he launched The Archimedes Movement, which is committed to building a meaningful opportunity for engagement through which the growing concern over the nation’s healthcare system can be channeled into effective action Its goal is to create not only the vision for a more equitable and sustainable system but also the tension necessary for its realization.