Four Cabinet secretaries hosted a rural health community forum this week in St. John Parish, LA., concerning information about the federal government's efforts to rebuild and revitalize rural America.

According to a press release on the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) website, the secretaries of HHS, Agriculture (USDA), and Labor and Veterans Affairs (VA) will listen to local residents' perspectives and discuss solutions to the challenges facing rural communities during the 90-minute community forum. Previous Rural Tour events have been held in Pennsylvania, New Hampshire and Michigan. Future events are currently scheduled for Alaska, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Carolina, Wisconsin and Ohio. DOTmed has been keeping track of rural health issues (See DM 9237, and DM 9432--DOTmed's cover story on rural health care in the July issue of DOTmed Business News.)

"The President is committed to improving health care in rural communities and we're doing all we can to make all of America's communities even better places to live, work, and raise a family," HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius stated. "Rural communities face unique challenges. There is no one-size-fits-all approach. We all know that the policies that work in one area of the country may not be the best for all communities, particularly when it comes to health care."

President Obama had previously announced that his administration officials would tour communities across the U.S. to address concerns over rural care. The HHS says the community forums allow the Cabinet secretaries to hear directly from rural residents, and give them opportunity to let the President know what they need for health care.

"To address the many challenges facing our rural communities, we are traveling across the country to listen, learn and facilitate problem-solving," said USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack. "To ensure the success of rural America in a 21st century economy, it is critical that policymakers hear the thoughts, concerns and stories about each community's vision for its future, and to collect ideas about how all of our agencies can help build a better future for all Americans."

While the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act has broad support for rural communities, including investment in nutrition programs, broadband, rural economic development, conservation, and in-community health centers, the HHS emphasizes the necessity of addressing rural America's concerns, particularly in the area of health care gaps and services for America's veterans in rural areas.

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