EMERSON ACCEPTS AHA's ANNUAL KOOP AWARD

WASHINGTON -- U.S. Rep. Jo Ann Emerson on Monday accepted the ninth annual C. Everett Koop Health Advocate Award on behalf of former first lady Betty Ford.

"Her openness about her dependency on alcohol and prescription drugs led to the formation of the Betty Ford Center, which has helped thousands of people on the road to recovery from addictions to alcohol or drugs," said Emerson, R-Cape Girardeau.

The C. Everett Koop Health Advocate Award was established in 1991. It is presented by the American Hospital Association to honor a person or organization that has used the power of communication to positively impact quality or understanding of health care.