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News Release
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, Oct. 18, 2002
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Contact: HHS Press Office
(202) 690-6343
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STATEMENT BY HHS SECRETARY TOMMY G. THOMPSON
Regarding Passage of the Health Care Safety Net Amendments
Congratulations to the leadership and members of the House of Representatives, particularly Chairman Tauzin, Congressman Dingell and Congressman Bilirakis, as well as members of the Senate, Senator Gregg, Senator Frist and Senator Kennedy on passage of the Health Care Safety Net Amendments of 2002. This legislation is a key part of the Administration's plan to address the challenge of the uninsured.
With this legislation we're opening the door to new opportunities to improve the way underserved populations receive needed health services. It couldn't be happening at a more critical time. This action follows the recent release of new data showing that the number of uninsured Americans rose last year by 1.4 million, to 41.2 million people.
The final bill reauthorizes the consolidated health centers program as well as the National Health Service Corps Program. This accomplishment has been a major goal of the Administration and a top priority of the Department of Health and Human Services. The bill reflects Congress' clear commitment to providing HHS with the flexibility needed to administer these important programs.
The bill also reauthorizes several grant programs administered by the Office of Rural Health Policy and creates new programs that focus on quality improvement for small rural providers and on strengthening the rural emergency medical services (EMS) system. Tele-health and dental programs are also expanded under the bill.
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Note: All HHS press releases, fact sheets and other press materials are
available at www.hhs.gov/news.
Last Revised: October 18, 2002
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