[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 168 (Wednesday, August 29, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Page 45682]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-21732]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Office of the Secretary


Request for Comments To Inform HHS Initiative on Rural 
Communities

SUMMARY: The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is 
undertaking an examination of how each HHS agency's program can be 
strengthened to better serve rural communities. HHS seeks public 
comments to inform this process.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dianne McSwain, HHS Office of 
Intergovermental Affairs, 202-401-5926 or Marcia Brand, HHS Health and 
Resources and Services Administration, Office of Rural Health Policy, 
301-443-0835.

DATES: All comments must be received on or before the close of business 
on September 28, 2001.

ADDRESSES: All comments should be addressed to the HHS Initiative on 
Rural Communities, Department of Health and Human Services, Hubert H. 
Humphrey Building, 200 Independence Avenue, SW., Room 638-G, 
Washington, DC 20201. Comments may also be submitted through email to: 
[email protected]. Individuals and organizations submitting 
comments are encouraged to include contact information for further 
clarification and a zip code to facilitate possible analysis of 
geographic distribution of the comments received.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On July 25, 2001, HHS Secretary Tommy G. 
Thompson announced the HHS Initiative on Rural Communities, a 
Department-wide effort to improve the provision of health and human 
services to rural families and individuals. An HHS Rural Task Force has 
been created to conduct a program-by-program examination of how HHS 
programs can improve services to rural communities. This internal HHS 
Rural Task Force; will examine how existing programs serve rural 
communities; will identify administrative, regulatory and statutory 
barriers to serving people in rural communities; will consider the 
impact of the HHS funding on rural economies; and will make 
recommendations to improve health care and social services to rural 
America. The HHS Task Force will report to the Secretary of Health and 
Human Services on October 25, 2001 with a detailed analysis of HHS 
programs and a strategic plan for sustaining the commitment to rural 
communities.
    Recognizing the value of the insight and experience of those at the 
state, local, and tribal level serving rural communities, the HHS Task 
Force invites the public to submit to us your specific written comments 
on issues such as (1) Improving rural communities' access to quality 
health and human services; (2) strengthening rural families; (3) 
strengthening rural communities and supporting economic development; 
(4) partnering with State, local and Tribal governments to support 
rural communities; and (5) supporting a rural voice in federal policy 
making.
    All comments should be submitted to the Department of Health and 
Human Services at the address noted above. The comments will be 
considered in the development of the report to Secretary Thompson and 
the ensuing strategic plan. Since the anticipated volume of responses 
will preclude a personal response to each of the comments, HHS wishes 
to thank you in advance for your comments.

Andrew C. Knapp,
Acting Director, Office of Intergovernmental Affairs.
[FR Doc. 01-21732 Filed 8-28-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4150-03-P