Speech

Governor’s Health Care Summit

Remarks of Governor Judy Martz
Billings
9/25/2003

***Check against delivery***


Thank you for your presentations. And thank you again to all conference organizers and others who helped to make this summit such a success.

I look forward to reviewing in detail the full deliberations of the conference – to continue what we have started – looking for ways that bring us together rather than pull us apart.

I want to close this Governor’s Health Care Summit with a few important points.

This conference is about the future, not about the past.

It brought together a diverse group of interests and values. Interests and values that sometimes put us at odds with one another.

But I understand that this conference pulled those interests together in a civil, constructive dialogue, and wrestled with some of the bigger issues.

I believe that this conference will be the springboard for further discussion and further direction. All in a civil and respectful dialogue.

And I look forward to continuing this dialogue.

If you are interested in the follow up process I encourage you to contact Jean Branscum in my office as she will be leading the pursuit of the final recommendations.

As Montanans, we all share a sense of community, of caring for and helping one another in times of need, and ensuring that we all have the opportunity to live healthy lifestyles.

It is time to recognize and acknowledge the difficulties of providing adequate health care for all Montanans – but to accept those difficulties with an eye toward solutions for the future – and a common vision for how we best serve all Montanans.

I truly appreciate your willingness to participate in this discussion to forge a vision for the future of health care in Montana.

I believe that there truly can be a balance in health care interests, and achieving that balance is absolutely critical at a time when shrinking budgets require us to look outside the box for innovative solutions.

I firmly believe that some of the best ideas come out of the most difficult situations. I thank you on behalf of the people of Montana for your dedication to moving this state toward a common vision.

And there are many notes of thanks to be made for organizing this groundbreaking conference.

I want to recognize again all of the staff in my office and the Department of Public Health and Human Services for their tireless dedication to making this conference a success and the steering committee for making this conference a reality.

I also would like to thank the speakers, facilitators, note takers and group leaders, who presented their views on a wide range of values and interests and provided the basis to begin a substantive discussion in the working groups.

Thank you, too, to those of you who are sponsors. Your willingness to put forth financial resources speaks volumes about your true commitment to finding solutions.

And finally – and in many ways, most importantly -- I want to thank all of you, who took time out of your busy schedules to work toward a common goal.

Your participation and input in a constructive manner truly shows that we can work together for the health of our families, and for the future of our great state.

The world is run by the people who show up. Your interest and commitment to these issues is demonstrated again today.

Thanks again to all who participated, who sponsored and who labored so hard to make this day a success.

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