Date: September 11, 2002
For more information contact: Kyle Richmond (608) 267-9336 or kyle.richmond@oci.state.wi.us

Madison, WI--Governor Scott McCallum today announced two final Wisconsin health care listening sessions during the month of September. The sessions will take place in La Crosse on September 23, and in Eau Claire on September 24.

"The rising cost of health care is now jeopardizing the Wisconsin tradition of high quality medical care, efficient and caring providers, and competitive insurance and business environments," McCallum said. "We'll continue to listen and plan for change."

State Insurance Commissioner Connie O'Connell and Department of Health & Family Services Secretary Phyllis Dubé will lead the public forums again.

"It is truly remarkable how much time and effort that people from every part of the State of Wisconsin have given to this subject and it is showing at every one of these sessions," O'Connell said. "I look forward to these next two with great anticipation."

"The Governor is already implementing several ideas raised at the first several listening sessions including the state employee wellness initiative and improved web-based health care consumer data," said Secretary Dubé. "I look forward to new ideas coming from speakers in La Crosse and Eau Claire."

The La Crosse session will begin at 3:00 p.m. on Monday, September 23, in room 339 of the Cartwright Center at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse campus, 1741 State Street. The Eau Claire session will begin at 3:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 24, in room 103 of the Chippewa Valley Technical College auditorium, 620 W. Clairemont Ave.

Information on the health care listening sessions is posted on the OCI's Web site at http://oci.wi.gov/special/listen.htm.