FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 9, 2007

Healthcare Expert Discusses Solutions for American Families, Oct. 12, as part of the Holden Public Policy Forum at Webster University

Karen Davis, Ph.D., president of New York-based The Commonwealth Fund, will present ideas for mending the healthcare system, at noon on October 12, at the Old Post Office, 815 Olive Blvd.

Davis is speaking as part of the Webster University Holden Public Policy Forum's Issues of the 21st Century series and will discuss strategies to fix the healthcare system. These strategies include extending healthcare to all, orienting the healthcare system around the patient and raising the benchmark level of the quality of care.  She will also explain where all of the presidential candidates fall in regard to these strategies.

The Commonwealth Fund is a private foundation that promote a high performing health care system that achieves better access, improved quality, and greater efficiency, particularly for society's most vulnerable.The Fund supports independent research on health care issues and making grants to improve health care practice and policy. An international program in health policy is designed to stimulate innovative policies and practices in the United States and other industrialized countries.

"As the cost of healthcare continues to rise, so does the rate of uninsuredAmericans," said Gov. Bob Holden, founder of the Holden Public Policy Forum @ Webster University.  "The severity of this issue is intensifying as each day passes.  I'm proud that the Holden Public Policy Forum can sponsor the debate that just may bring relief to families without quality healthcare."

The presentation will be held in the historic Missouri Courtroom of Appeals, located on the third floor of the Old Post Office Building,is free and open to the public.  Reservations are required and may be made by visiting www.webster.edu/holdenppf.  Those without Internet access may reserve a spot by calling 314-246-8792.

The Holden Public Policy Forum @ Webster University is a bi-partisan speaker series that brings Governors, Senators, presidential candidates and private sector public policy leaders to St. Louis and the Webster University Old Post Office campus to engage in open debate about public policy.

Members of the media are encouraged to attend and interviews are available with Professor Davis by contacting Christine Wells Eason, director of media relations, at 314-565-4745 or at eason@webster.edu.