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National Advisory Committee on Rural Health and Human Services

Purpose

On July 25th, 2001, the Secretary established the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Rural Task Force and charged it with conducting a department-wide examination of how HHS programs can be strengthened to better serve rural communities. One of the findings of that task force was the need to improve the consultative process with rural communities in both the health and human service areas.

To better meet that charge, the Secretary decided to expand the focus of an existing advisory committee that focused on rural health issues to create the National Advisory Committee on Rural Health and Human Services.

The Committee will serve as an independent advisory body to the Department on issues related to how the Department and its programs serve rural communities. The Committee will represent a public/private partnership that will focus attention and existing resources on rural health and human service problems. This will require the ongoing counsel and advice of a broad range of public and private sector expertise not available within the Department. Such input can best be achieved through the creation of and continued operation of the National Advisory Committee on Rural Health and Human Services.

Authority

42 USC 217a; Section 222 of the Public Health Service Act, as amended. The Committee is governed by provisions of Public Law 92-463 (5 USC Appendix 2), which sets forth standards for the formation and use of advisory committees.

Function

The National Advisory Committee on Rural Health and Human Services shall advise the Secretary concerning the provision and financing of health care and human services in rural areas.

The Committee has the option of producing reports on key rural issues along with recommendations for possible solutions and may solicit input from the Department and the field regarding issues on which to focus. The Committee also has the option of conferring with and coordinating its activities with other key advisory groups in the fields of rural health and human services.

Structure

The National Advisory Committee on Rural Health and Human Services will be comprised of up to 20 members and a chair who represent the diversity of health and human service issues in rural America. Fifteen of these members should be rural health experts while five should be experts in the field of human services.

These individuals will represent an appropriate geographic representative mix from across the country, including the Chair, selected by the Secretary from authorities knowledgeable in the fields of delivery, financing, research, development and administration of health care and human services in rural areas. Such authorities shall include representatives from State and local governments, foundations, provider associations, and other rural interest groups. Committee members' should reflect a broad array of expertise, including Title XVIII, IX and XXI of the Social Security Act and with the range of rural-focused health programs under the purview of the Secretary, as well as knowledgeable in the fields of rural human and social services, including issues related to transportation, children and family services, social work, services for the elderly and rural economic development. The Office of Rural Health Policy, HRSA, provides management and support services for the National Advisory Committee on Rural Health and Human Services, with support provided by the Administration for Children and Families (ACF).

Administration of the Council

The Committee has the option of adding ex-officio members from the Department who bring an area of expertise needed to support and enhance Committee activities. These position should be filled by senior policy experts from any of the Departmental operating divisions who will be designated by either the Office of Rural Health Policy on rural health issues or by the Administrator of the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) on issues related to human services in rural areas. The Committee also has the option of operating as a Committee of the Whole or in a subcommittee format.

Terms of Service

Members shall be invited to serve for overlapping four-year terms; terms of more than two years are contingent upon the renewal of the Committee by appropriate action before its termination. Members may serve after the expiration of their term until their successor has taken office.

Meetings

The Committee will meet three times each year, at the call of the Chair. These meetings will require the advance approval of a Government official who shall also approve the agenda. A Government official shall be present at all meetings.

Meetings shall be open to the public except as determined otherwise by the Secretary and notice of all meetings are given to the public.

Meetings shall be conducted, and records of the proceedings kept, as required by applicable laws and Departmental regulations.

Compensation

Members who are not full-time Federal employees are paid at a rate of $275 per day, plus per diem and travel expenses in accordance with Standard Government Travel Regulations.

Annual Cost Estimate

Estimated annual cost for operating the Council, including compensation and travel expenses for members, but excluding staff support, is $191,708. Estimate of annual man-years of staff support required is 0.85, at an estimated annual cost of $134,290.

Reports

In the event a portion of a meeting is closed to the public, a report shall be prepared which shall contain, as a minimum, a list of members and their business addresses, the Council=s functions, dates and places of meetings, and a summary of Committee activities and recommendations made during the fiscal year. A copy of the report shall be provided to the Department Committee Management Officer.

Termination Date

Unless renewed by appropriate action prior to its expiration, the National Advisory Committee on Rural Health and Human Services will terminate on October 29, 2003.