Former Senators Daschle, Frist to discuss bipartisanship health care, Jan. 19

December 22, 2009

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — As Congress continues to grapple with overhauling the nation’s health care system, the University of Florida’s Bob Graham Center for Public Service will host two former U.S. Senate majority leaders discussing the lessons that can be learned from the current health care debate for future bipartisanship.

Former Senators Tom Daschle (D-SD) and Bill Frist (R-TN), both considered Senate experts in public health during their time in office, will be discussing “Bipartisanship in the Health Care Debate” on January 19th at 7pm. in the Pugh Hall Ocora.

While the discussion will center on health care, the real purpose of the forum will be to discover what lessons can be learned for bipartisan cooperation in crucial issues facing the U.S. in the coming decade, said former Sen. Bob Graham. In the current health care debate, Republicans have been virtually united in opposing health care legislation in the Democratic-controlled House and Senate.

“By the 19th of January we’re maybe going to know how it’s going to come out,” said Graham, referring to health care reform. “But there are some lessons to be learned from this health care debate – some lessons to be applied, and some lessons to be avoided.

“We’ve got some other big issues on the horizon – climate change, immigration, economic policy, education reform,” he added. “We need to learn from the health care debate how we can have a more civil, a more constructive, and a more bipartisan approach to these major challenges facing our nation.”

Any action on the nation’s healthcare system is likely to have a profound impact. Health care accounts for about one-sixth of the entire economy — more than any other U.S. industry.

Health-care spending totals about $2.5 trillion, or 17.5% of our gross domestic product — a measure of the value of all goods and services produced in the U.S., according to the Kaiser Family Foundation, a nonpartisan health policy group.

Seating is limited but there are a number of tickets still available. These tickets are for admission only; they do not correspond to seats. For more information about this event, please check out the Graham Center Web site.

The Bob Graham Center is a community of students, scholars and politically engaged citizens, devoted to enhanced citizenship; the training of current and future public and civic leaders who can identify problems and spearhead change; and the development of policy on issues of importance to Florida, the U.S. and the global community.

For more information about this event, please check out the Graham Center website at or find us on Facebook at .