Thompson Names HHS Regional Representative For Iowa, Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska

HHS Secretary Tommy Thompson on May 6 announced the appointment of Fred Schuster as the Regional Representative for Region VII, which includes Iowa, Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska. Schuster, who will be based in Kansas City, Mo., will act as Thompson's liaison with state, local and tribal government officials in that area. Since 1984, Schuster has worked as Sen. Charles Grassley's (R-Iowa) regional director and acting state administrator. In this capacity, Schuster represented Grassley in an 18-county area and was responsible for issue management involving Medicaid, Medicare, child support and the Internal Revenue Service. With Schuster's appointment, Thompson has named regional representatives to all 10 regions. Thompson said, "Fred Schuster truly knows his region. With nearly 20 years of hands-on experience, he will serve the people in the Kansas City area well as he takes on this key position in the department" (HHS release, 5/6).