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Former Governor John Kitzhaber Speaks on Healthcare Reform

Elmhurst College and Elmhurst Memorial Healthcare team up to discuss ‘American Issues’

Former Oregon Governor John Kitzhaber, M.D., has long been a vocal supporter of health care reform in the United States. On Tuesday, October 6, he will be in Elmhurst to share thoughts during a presentation hosted by Elmhurst Memorial Healthcare 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a more sustainable future when so many of our jobs, our way of life and much of our economy remain deeply dependent on outdated programs and policies of the past,” said Governor Kitzhaber, who also practiced as an emergency medicine physician before starting his political career.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.”

The presentation, titled “The Unfinished Business of the Baby Boom Generation: Healthcare for the 21st Century,” will be held at 7:30 p.m. in the Founders Lounge of the College’s Frick Center.

“Dr. Kitzhaber is able to share with us the unique experience of serving the people in both a governmental capacity as Governor, and a medical capacity as a physician,” said Elmhurst College President S. Alan Ray. “This event offers an opportunity for thoughtful dialogue surrounding a subject that affects us all.”

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. 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.