HHS Secretary Tommy G. Thompson announces new initiatives for rural communities

HHS Secretary Tommy G. Thompson today announced the creation of a HHS Rural Task Force that will conduct a department wide examination of how HHS programs
can be strengthened to better serve rural communities.

(Thanks to Ray Trumpower- Chairman-EPRC&D for bringing this to our attention.-Russ)

"As former governors of states with large rural populations, President Bush and I know how important it is for people outside urban centers to have access to quality
health care and social services. We have carried that understanding to the White House and HHS," Secretary Thompson said in a speech to the Joint International
Summit on Rural and Community Development.

"The Task Force will reach across all 12 divisions in HHS and will work to assess how we can do a better job of expanding and improving the provision of health care and
social services in rural America," Secretary Thompson continued. "It’s a high priority for this administration."

There are 54 million Americans who live in rural areas. Health care can represent up to 20 percent of a community’s employment and income. In some lower income
communities, federal support may account for as much as 50 percent of the income in the community. Medical care and a strong social services network are also
important factors for employers who might consider moving to or expanding into rural communities.

Secretary Thompson, speaking to an audience of 1,200 via teleconference, told attendees that the Task Force would search for existing regulatory and statutory barriers
to serving rural individuals and families. It will examine each division to determine ways to strengthen existing programs and services. The Task Force will explore ways to
enhance state health and social service delivery systems. Finally, the Task Force will identify places where additional funding might be needed.

"The Task Force will consider any and all ideas," Secretary Thompson said. "However, it is imperative as we begin this effort that we remember that rural Wisconsin is
different than rural Maine, rural California, or rural Georgia. In health care, rural hospitals and their needs will differ, too, even as the underlying challenges remain the
same — financing, personnel, or facilities. In social services, individuals and families need supportive services, adult and child-care services, and help securing child
support without regard to where they live or the size of their community."

Secretary Thompson charged the Task Force with returning to him within three months a report of what they have found, recommendations for improvement and a
strategic plan to ensure a real change in the ways HHS does business.

Other activities Secretary Thompson announced include:

Developing a "tool chest" of options to help improve the performance of small, rural hospitals. The tools under consideration include access to the same range of
expert support services and technical advice now available to urban medical centers as well as the development of small-hospital assessment and performance
and improvement tools.
Working to increase rural hospitals’ access to the capital necessary for upgrading technology, equipment and facilities. HHS will work with the Departments of
Housing and Urban Development and Agriculture to improve their hospital financing programs.
Examining the use of Title XII of the Public Health Services Act, which gives HHS broad authority over Emergency Medical Service (EMS) provider funds for
training, recruitment and retention grants. HHS’ goal is to keep good Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) personnel on the job in rural America, where EMS
systems are stretched thin.
Assessing the effectiveness of the Temporary Assistance to Needy Families program to prepare for TANF’s reauthorization in 2002 and to include a rural
perspective in that process.
Working to improve services to older individuals residing in rural areas through the Administration on Aging’s Older Americans Act service network.

"We need to both attend to the short-term needs of rural health care and social service as well as to live up to our long-term commitment to maintain a strong and vibrant
rural America for the years ahead," Secretary Thompson said. "This is the commitment of this administration and department."

http://www.ruralhealth.hrsa.gov/initiative.htm

http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2001pres/20010725b.html