Thompson Announces Task Force to Examine HHS Service of Rural Communities
HHS Secretary Tommy Thompson announced on July 25 the creation of a Rural Task Force to examine how HHS programs can better serve rural communities, according to an HHS release. The group will research current "regulatory and statutory barriers," examine ways to "strengthen existing programs" in each HHS division, determine ways to "enhance" delivery of health and social service programs and look for places "where additional funding might be needed." Thompson also announced that HHS will develop a "tool chest" for rural hospitals that includes expert support services and technical advice, and will work to increase rural hospitals' access to capital for new technology. In addition, HHS will "examin[e] the use of Title XII of the Public Health Services Act," which gives the department authority over funds for training, recruitment and retention of emergency medical service providers, in order to help "rural America" keep "good emergency medical technician personnel on the job." The department will also assess the effectiveness of the Temporary Assistance to Needy Families program, in an effort to include a "rural perspective" when the welfare program is reauthorized in 2002, and will work to improve services to rural elderly through the Administration on Aging's Older Americans Act service network. Thompson asked the task force to complete a report and "strategic plan" for "real change" within three months (HHS release, 7/25). Thompson, who spoke from Washington, D.C., via the Internet to 1,200 attendees from 47 states and 15 countries at the Joint International Summit on Community and Rural Development in Duluth, Minn., added that he will work to boost Medicare and Medicaid reimbursements to rural hospitals. Minnesota Gov. Jesse Ventura (I) also addressed the group, calling for "extending fast, reliable Internet and other telecommunications services to all corners of the state" for use by hospitals, among other groups (Oakes, Minneapolis Star Tribune, 7/26).
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