NORTH COAST – Congressman Mike Thompson (D-St. Helena), was honored by the California Healthcare Institute (CHI) for his thoughtful leadership in advancing biomedical science, biotechnology, pharmaceutical and medical device innovation.

The award was presented by CHI Chairman Henry L. Nordhoff, chairman and chief executive officer, Gen-Probe Inc., at a CHI dinner in Washington, D.C.

“The challenge we face today is how to expand health care coverage and improve affordability,” said David Gollaher, Ph.D., CHI’s president and chief executive officer. “Congressman Thompson has directly engaged California’s biotechnology and medical technology innovators, listening to our concerns and asking the tough questions that help lead to the right policy decisions, so we are pleased to have honored him with this award.”

"Supporting medical innovations and increasing access to them is the path to a healthier population," said Thompson. "I appreciate this award recognizing my partnership with our state's biomedical community, which is part of providing Californians with better access to quality, affordable health care."

CHI represents more than 250 leading biotechnology, medical device, diagnostics, and pharmaceutical companies, and public and private academic biomedical research organizations. CHI’s mission is to advance responsible public policies that foster medical innovation and promote scientific discovery. CHI’s Web site is www.chi.org.

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