December 03,2004

Chairman Grassley applauds leadership and service of HHS Secretary Tommy Thompson

M E M O R A N D U M

TO: Reporters and Editors
FR: Jill Kozeny, 202/224-1308
RE: Thompson resignation
DA: Dec. 3, 2004

Sen. Chuck Grassley, chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance, issued the followingcomment today about HHS Secretary Tommy Thompson.

"During his term, Secretary Thompson provided leadership on critically important issuesfacing American seniors and our health care delivery system. He was instrumental in the historicenactment of the Medicare Modernization Act, which created the first-ever Medicare prescriptiondrug benefit, expanded coverage for preventive benefits and strengthened the Medicare programfor our nation’s seniors and Americans with disabilities. After September 11th, SecretaryThompson led the creation of the National Bioterrorism Command Center and strengthened thenation’s preparedness to deal with national health emergencies. Governor Thompson has been astrong leader for the Department at an important time it its history, and I've admired his integrityand effectiveness. I wish him the very best."