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John W. Walsh Elected Chairperson of National Health Council

Posted on: Thursday, 22 December 2005, 15:00 CST

MIAMI, Dec. 22 /PRNewswire/ -- John W. Walsh has been elected chairperson of the National Health Council, the influential Washington, D.C., healthcare advocacy, research and information organization.

"I'm excited about the coming year and honored to assume this leadership position in the NHC," Walsh said. "I look forward to promoting the Council's vision of expanding its representation on behalf of the voluntary health sector."

NHC President Myrl Weinberg said, "John has been a tremendous leader on behalf of individuals with Alpha-1 and the health community in general through his active participation with the Council. I am honored that he has agreed to serve as our chairperson and look forward to working closely with him in 2006 to promote quality healthcare, the importance of medical research and the role of patient organizations."

As Chairman, Walsh will have a major role in advancing high priority issues such as the Council's "Putting Patients First" initiative which supports adoption of widespread access to electronic medical records and personal health information technology. In addition, a major priority will be placed on advocacy efforts to support Medicaid reform and increased funding for medical research by the National Institutes of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Walsh added: "My election to this post is a tribute to the NHC's commitment to bringing together diverse interests within the health community to pursue a common public policy agenda. Our commitment to shape and advance national health care policy and enhance organizational effectiveness and public accountability are top priorities that will have a far-reaching impact on organizations and individuals with chronic illnesses and disabilities."

Walsh is President, CEO and Co-Founder of the Alpha-1 Foundation, a Miami- based medical research organization that funds International research, education in four languages, and worldwide detection of Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency (Alpha-1), a rare genetic disorder that can cause serious lung and/or liver disease. He is also Co-Founder and President of AlphaNet, a not- for-profit disease management company providing comprehensive care exclusively for individuals with Alpha-1. He is a former Presidential Appointee to the Board of Directors of the American Thoracic Society. He is currently serving a third term as a U. S. Secretary of Health Appointee to the Advisory Committee on Blood Safety and Availability.

The National Health Council has established itself as a dynamic forum for policy development - the place where all segments of the healthcare community meet for reasoned discussion and persuasive advocacy. The Council has grown to more than 115 member organizations representing many areas of health care.

For more information about the National Health Council, please call (202) 785-3910 http://www.nationalhealthcouncil.org/. For more information on Alpha-1, please call (877) 2 CURE A1 (877-228-7321) or visit http://www.alphaone.org/ .

For more information, contact: Connie Prater 305-567-9888 ext. 245

National Health Council; Alpha-1 Foundation

CONTACT: Connie Prater, Alpha-1 Foundation, +1-305-567-9888, ext. 245

Web site: http://www.nationalhealthcouncil.org/http://www.alphaone.org/

Source: PRNewswire

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