Former Gov. Tommy Thompson says the Senate version of a health care bill is "another milestone in achieving meaningful health-care reform," despite his concerns about some aspects of the proposal.

Thompson, also a former secretary of Health and Human Services under George W. Bush, issued a statement with former Dem U.S. Rep. Dick Gephardt of Missouri pleading for "bipartisan consensus" to address the crisis in American health care.

Thompson and Gephardt issued their statement through "America's Agenda: Health Care for All," which hosted both former officials for a discussion on health care reform earlier this year in Madison.

"Any final bill passed into law must focus on both the human and economic impact, ensuring that access and affordability are achieved for employers, employees, and Americans currently without coverage," the statement reads. "We can all agree that the opportunity before us is far too great to let specific differences stand in the way of reaching consensus legislation needed this year."

The Senate voted 60-39 Saturday to invoke cloture on the health care bill, bringing the bill to the chamber floor; both Wisconsin senators voted with the majority.