HHS To Focus On Rural Programs

A new Rural Task Force of the federal Department of Health and HumanServices vows to conduct a department-wide examination of how HHS programscan be strengthened in rural communities. HHS says there are 54 millionAmericans who live in rural areas, and health care can represent up to 20percent of a community's employment and income. In some lower incomecommunities, federal support may account for as much as 50 percent of thecommunity's income. Secretary Tommy Thompson says the task force will searchfor existing regulatory and statutory barriers to serving rural individualsand families. It will examine divisions to find ways to strengthen existingprograms and services, explore ways to enhance state health and socialservice delivery, and identify places where additional funding might beneeded. The department also pledged to help improve small rural hospitalsand examine the health care needs of rural senior citizens.

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