Former President Bill Clinton will deliver the keynote at HIMSS13 in New Orleans on March 6. HIMSS officials released its list of speakers on Sept. 5, the same day Clinton delivered the keynote at the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, N.C. 

While Americans anticipate the November elections, HIMSS executives said the political – and healthcare – discussion would continue at HIMSS13 with Clinton, cardiologist and geneticist Eric J. Topol, and a debate between two well-known pols, James Carville and Karl Rove.

HIMSS will return to the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in the Big Easy from March 3-7, 2013 for its annual conference.

“We strive to have relevant educational content at the annual conference, and in this election year, we’re so pleased that President Clinton will offer his unique perspective on many topics of interest to our members and attendees,” says H. Stephen Lieber, HIMSS President and CEO. “The timing is right to have President Clinton join us, because the election will be over, and its effects will just be taking hold in Washington and across the nation. With a continued bipartisan focus on the best use of health IT to improve healthcare delivery, attendees at the conference will want to hear what President Clinton has to say.”    

Clinton was the first Democratic president in six decades to be elected twice – first in 1992 and then in 1996. Under his leadership, the country enjoyed the strongest economy in a generation and the longest economic expansion in U.S. history, including the creation of more than 22 million jobs.

After leaving the White House, Clinton established the William J. Clinton Foundation with the mission to strengthen the capacity of people in the United States and throughout the world to meet the challenges of global interdependence. Today the foundation has staff and volunteers around the world working to improve lives through several initiatives, including the Clinton Health Access Initiative, which is helping 4 million people living with HIV/AIDS access lifesaving drugs.

The conference opens on Monday, March 4, following the pre-conference sessions on Sunday, March 3. Following is the HIMSS13 slate of keynote presenters, confirmed at publication time.

Tuesday, March 5       8:30 – 9:30 a.m.

Eric J. Topol, West Endowed Chair of Innovative Medicine, Scripps Health; Cardiologist; Geneticist: As a leader in the movement to modernize medical treatment through the latest technology, Topol is creating new, more effective ways to treat patients and lower the costs of healthcare. 

Wednesday, March 6, 1-2:15 p.m.                                                                     

President Bill Clinton, founder of The William J. Clinton Foundation, and 42nd president of the United States: The work of President Clinton’s Foundation includes the Clinton Global Initiative, which brings together global leaders to devise and implement innovative solutions to some of the world’s most pressing issues. In the U.S., the foundation is working to combat the rise in childhood obesity through the Alliance for a Healthier Generation, and is helping individuals and families succeed and small businesses grow. 

Thursday, March 7, 12:30-2 p.m.                                     

During this closing keynote, James Carville and Karl Rove will debate politics, economics, healthcare reform and other key initiatives affecting the country.                

James Carville, political consultant: James “The Ragin’ Cajun” Carville is America’s best-known political consultant. His most prominent victory was in 1992 when he helped Bill Clinton win the Presidency. 

Karl Rove, Fox News contributor and Wall Street Journal columnist, former deputy chief of staff and senior advisor to President Bush: Karl Rove served as senior advisor (2000–2007) and deputy chief of staff (2004–2007) to President George W. Bush. At the White House, he oversaw the offices of strategic initiatives, political affairs, public liaison and intergovernmental affairs, and was deputy chief of staff for policy, coordinating the White House policy-making process. 

Education and exhibits continue as hallmarks of HIMSS13 with more than 300 education sessions on hot topics, such as meaningful use standards, certification and criteria, privacy and security practices and more. The more than 1,100 exhibiting companies – from Fortune 500 to startups – will showcase their latest healthcare innovations and new product launches.

Registration will open for HIMSS13 in mid-September.