Tommy Thompson Former U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Speaks Out On The Auto Industry's Health Care Cost Crisis

        Media Invited To Attend Thompson Speech & Press Conference

                Keynote Speech, 12:00 Noon - 1:00 P.M. ET
         Press Conference Immediately Following Thompson's Speech

The rising costs of health care and health insurance threaten businesses large and small and, in turn, economic growth, wages and jobs.

This national issue has burgeoned, particularly in the auto industry, as companies struggle to manage the enormous cost of insuring employees. In fact, according to public filings, the U.S. Big Three automakers spent $10 billion for medical expenses in 2004. This was more than the companies spent on steel.

This Friday, April 15, Tommy Thompson, former U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services, will team up with key decision makers from the auto and insurance industries and organized labor to tackle the national health care crisis and identify potential solutions. The event, entitled, "Fixing the Health Care System," will be held at the Detroit Regional Chamber (Address: One Woodward Avenue, Downtown Detroit -- 19th Floor). Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm will introduce Secretary Thompson, who will deliver the keynote speech at the summit. Thompson will field questions from reporters in a closed press conference immediately after his speech. At that time, he will discuss the impact, issues and potential solutions for the health care crisis in the auto industry and other National industries.

   Fast Stats: National Health Care Crisis
   * Spending on health care is expected to grow to $1.9 trillion this year,
     an increase of $621 billion from 2000 (Source:  Boston University
     School of Public Health)
   * U.S. health spending per person is twice the average of other
     industrialized countries including Canada and countries in Europe
     (Source:  Boston University School of Public Health)
   * 57% of business executives rate health care costs the number one
     concern for their companies (Source:  Society for Human Resource
     Management study)
   * 30% of Americans are having trouble paying other bills because of
     rising health care costs (2004 Health Confidence Survey)
   * 18% of Americans are having trouble paying for food, heat, and housing
     because of increased health care costs (2004 Health Confidence Survey).

Tommy Thompson, the former U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary and four-term governor of Wisconsin, is chairman of the new Deloitte Center for Health Care Management and Transformation. In his role at the Center, Secretary Thompson is partnering with some of the world's foremost experts to develop innovative solutions to the health care challenges facing American families, businesses, communities, states and the nation as a whole.

  MEDIA ATTENDING IN PERSON:
  * PLEASE RSVP BY NOON THURSDAY, APRIL 14, 2005, TO SECURE A SPACE.
  * CONTACT GWEN KNAPP, DELOITTE PR, GREAT LAKES REGION - 313-396-3377.
  * FOR SATELLITE AND RADIO INTERVIEWS WITH TOMMY THOMPSON BETWEEN
    10:00 A.M. - 12 Noon ET ON APRIL 15, CALL 800-920-6397 AND SPEAK WITH
    PAULINA BRUSCA.

  THOMPSON SPEECH DIAL-IN:
  * MEDIA OUTSIDE DETROIT MAY DIAL IN TO HEAR SECRETARY THOMPSON'S LUNCHEON
    SPEECH (LISTEN ONLY - 200 LINES AVAILABLE ON A FIRST-COME, FIRST SERVED
    BASIS).
      -- Attendee Toll-Free Dial-in Number: (866) 837-9780
      -- Conference Name:  Tommy Thompson Luncheon

  THOMPSON PRESS CONFERENCE DIAL-IN:
  * MEDIA OUTSIDE DETROIT MAY DIAL IN TO PARTICIPATE IN THE PRESS CONFERENCE
    WITH SECRETARY THOMPSON (200 LINES AVAILABLE ON A FIRST-COME, FIRST
    SERVED BASIS).
      -- Attendee Toll-Free Dial-in Number: (866) 837-9780
      -- Conference Name: Tommy Thompson Press Conference

  NOTES:
  * THE CALL-IN NUMBERS FOR THE SPEECH AND PRESS CONFERENCE ARE THE SAME.
    MEDIA DIALING IN FOR BOTH THE LUNCHEON SPEECH AND PRESS CONFERENCE MUST
    HANG UP AFTER THOMPSON'S SPEECH AND DIAL INTO THE PRESS CONFERENCE.

  * MEDIA ATTENDING IN PERSON MUST CHECK IN AT THE MEDIA TABLE BY 11:30 A.M.

PRNewswire -- April 13