TOMMY THOMPSON CONVERSES WITH TOWN HALL ON NEW IDEAS IN HEALTH CARE

Los Angeles, CA - Tuesday, November 21, 2006 - Tommy Thompson, Former Secretary of Health and Human Services, will discuss the future of American health care with Town Hall Los Angeles on December 6, 2006, at the Omni Hotel. Thompson recently formed an exploratory committee to be the Republican candidate for the 2008 presidential election. He currently serves as Chairman for the Deloitte Center for Health Solutions.

At a conference in 2006, Thompson advanced technological solutions to America's health care problems. "First of all, you've got to do e-prescribing," said Thompson. "That's number one, and secondly you've got to develop an electronic medical record."

Thompson served as HHS Secretary under President George W. Bush from 2001-2005. At the time, he investigated the safety of imported prescription drugs. "During one investigation, my agency found that 88% of imported drugs were unapproved," Thompson reported. "We found animal drugs shipped for human use, drug labels written in Chinese, and pills shipped from a Canadian web site that were packaged in a Tupperware container and turned out to be from India."

Throughout its history, Town Hall Los Angeles has convened events on health care in America, including addresses by American Medical Association presidents Drs. Gunnar Gunderson (1959), John A. McMahon (1973), Nancy Dickey (1998), and Randolph Smoak, Jr. (2000). In 2004, Town Hall convened a panel on the state of employee health care benefits, and this year welcomed the head of the largest health benefits company in the nation - Larry C. Glasscock - of WellPoint, Inc. - who discussed the future of consumer health care.

Since 1937, Town Hall Los Angeles has been dedicated to promoting civic participation, pride, and awareness. As a nonpartisan and nonprofit forum, we encourage a public discussion on issues of regional, national, and international significance.

All members of the media are invited to cover this event.

** Please credit Town Hall Los Angeles in your coverage.?

WHEN: Wednesday, December 6, 2006, Noon Luncheon,12:30 ? 1:30 PM Address and Q & A

WHERE: Omni Los Angeles Hotel, 251 South Olive Street, Los Angeles, CA? 90071

Note to reporters and editors: The organization uses the full name: Town Hall Los Angeles. Please do not make generic as in 'town hall.'

Contact: Deborah Weinberg, Director, Media Relations, 213.312.9307 or [email protected]