Dow Chemical Commits To U.S. Dept. Of Health And Human Services’ Principles Of Health Care Transparency

Midland, MI - December 19, 2006 - The Dow Chemical Company’s Chairman and CEO, Andrew Liveris, has signed a company-wide commitment to the four principles of health care transparency proposed by U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Mike Leavitt.

Secretary Leavitt recently called on employers throughout the nation to join with the federal government, as purchasers of health care, in committing to four steps that will enhance health care quality and reduce costs by improving information in the health care sector. Leavitt has asked for 100 corporate commitments by the end of 2006.

The four “cornerstone” goals of value-driven health care, on which federal health care programs will also begin delivering in the coming year, are:

* Support Health Information Technology by requesting that those we contract with in the health care sector use systems that meet standards recognized by HHS, making it possible to share patient health information securely and seamlessly among health care providers.

* Support the Public Availability of Quality Information by requesting that those we contract with measure health care provider quality and make that information available so that health care providers as well as the public can make informed decisions and compare the quality of care being delivered.

* Support the Public Availability of Price Information by implementing and by requesting that those we contract with provide cost or price information to plan enrollees.

* Promote Value in Health Care by working to develop and contract with entities that reward high quality, efficient care.

“This commitment to transparency is aligned with our health strategy,“ said Dr. Cathy Baase, global director, Dow Health Services. ”We are dedicated to achieving high value for our investments and equally concerned about health outcomes.”

Dow offers health care coverage to more than 100,000 Americans nationwide, including 25,000 members in Michigan, 33,000 in Texas, 11,000 in Louisiana and 10,000 in West Virginia.

“We hope to achieve better health care for all Americans, especially the Dow families in our communities,“ said Janet VanAlsten, global director, Benefits. ”Supporting these principles illustrates how Dow, through its 2015 Goal commitments, is dedicated to protecting and improving human health"

About the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is the principal federal agency responsible for protecting the health of all Americans and providing essential human services, especially for those who are least able to help themselves. The HHS is responsible for more than 300 programs and is the nation’s largest health insurer and the federal government’s largest grant-making agency. The department’s budget of more than half a trillion dollars in resources is one of the largest in the federal government. For more information on the principles of health care transparency, visit: www.hhs.gov/news/press/2006pres/20061117.html.

About The Dow Chemical Company

Dow is a diversified chemical company that harnesses the power of science and technology to improve living daily. The Company offers a broad range of innovative products and services to customers in more than 175 countries, helping them to provide everything from fresh water, food and pharmaceuticals to paints, packaging and personal care products. Built on a commitment to its principles of sustainability, Dow has annual sales of $46 billion and employs 42,000 people worldwide. References to “Dow” or the “Company” mean The Dow Chemical Company and its consolidated subsidiaries unless otherwise expressly noted.

Contact Information

Nancy Fullerton

Editorial Information

The Dow Chemical Company

Contact via E-mail