March/April 2001Vol. 2, No. 2Former Wisconsin Governor Thompson Takes Helm at HHS

Wisconsin Governor Tommy Thompson, was unanimously confirmed on Jan. 24 by the U.S. Senate to serve as Secretary of Health and Human Services in President George W. Bush's Cabinet.

Thompson, the nation's longest-serving governor, was in his fourth term and 14th year in that post. A hallmark of his administration was the use of HHS waivers to pursue innovations in Federal social programs. In 1990, Wisconsin became the first state to request a waiver allowing the State to place time limits on public assistance and to require welfare recipients to work. In tandem, he increased State subsidies for child care, health insurance, and job training low-income families.

In an address to HHS employees on February 2, Thompson mentioned several priorities for the Department under President Bush's administration, including improving foster care and adoption programs, helping people move from welfare to economic success, and providing access to health insurance for uninsured Americans.

Secretary Thompson's address is available on the HHS website at http://www.hhs.gov/news/speech/2001/010202.html.

An HHS press release about Secretary Thompson is available at: http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2001pres/20010202.html.

His confirmation hearing address to the U.S. Senate Finance Committee on January 17, 2001 is available at: http://www.hhs.gov/news/speech/2001/010117.html.