HHS Secretary Tommy Thompson:

How Will His Policies Affect the States?

When President Bush nominated Wisconsin Governor Tommy Thompson as Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), he called Thompson “a creative, conservative, compassionate governor” and a “champion … for disadvantaged Americans.” Yet his appointment raised concerns among pro-choice, anti-tobacco and anti-poverty advocates.

Based on his record in Wisconsin, Secretary Thompson is expected to favor more flexibility in state administration of health programs. As Governor, Thompson was a leader for expanding Medicaid and the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP). Wisconsin was the first state to ask the Health Care Finance Administration for an 1115 Medicaid waiver to cover the working poor.

Wisconsin State Representative Antonio Riley (Flemming Fellow ’94 and CPA Board Member) considered Thompson a “progressive Republican governor” who was hindered by political pressures. He was “willing to advance ideas that strengthen the health care safety net and improve access to health care services,” according to Riley.

At the same time, Thompson has a fairly anti-choice record on reproductive rights. As governor, he supported a parental consent bill, a 24-hour waiting period and a ban on late-term abortions. Thompson’s late-term ban mandated life imprisonment for doctors who perform the procedure.

Because of his anti-choice position, Thompson may try to reverse the FDA’s decision to approve the use of Mifeprex, originally known as RU-486, for medical abortions. Thompson raised concerns during his confirmation hearing when he suggested that further FDA investigation of the drug’s safety remains a distinct possibility.

Prior to confirmation, Secretary Thompson was also criticized for having close ties to tobacco companies. Once confirmed, however, Thompson pledged to work aggressively to discourage smoking.

Thompson is known as the architect of the first and most sweeping overhaul of welfare programs in the country. He privatized Wisconsin’s eligibility determination process, cutting costs and streamlining the process. Yet, many families were wrongly denied assistance by for-profit and non-profit companies whose revenues were sometimes based on reducing the number of recipients. It is likely that states will see Thompson use his power to grant waivers to “reform” other programs that fall under the purview of HHS. Indeed, Wisconsin has a waiver request now pending with the Department of Agriculture to “privatize” the administration of food stamps.

In addition to these issues, Thompson has said he plans to focus on health care reform, long-term care for seniors, the expansion of opportunities for the disabled, and advancements in biotechnology and scientific research.