The National Advisory Committee
on Rural Health and Human Services
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
on Rural Health and Human Services
What is it?
The National Advisory Committee
on Rural Health and Human Services is a 21-member board that advises the Secretary of Health and Human Services on issues concerning the provision and financing of health care services in rural areas.
Who is it?
The Committee is made up of rural physicians, nurses, educators, researchers,
hospital and clinic administrators, human services and policy experts.
The Chair of the Committee is former South Carolina David Beasley. The
Committee was established in 1987 at the same time as the Federal Office
of Rural Health Policy and serves as a voice within the Department for
rural health.
What does it do?
The Committee studies and makes recommendations on issues affecting health
and human services in rural areas such as shortages of providers, limited
access to services and the financial viability of struggling rural health
and human services systems. Each year the Committee produces a report
on key rural issues that includes recommendations to the Secretary.
When does it meet?
The Committee meets three times a year, once in Washington, D.C. and twice
in the field, usually in the home state of one of the committee members.
How long are the terms?
Committee members serve overlapping four-year terms.
How do you get on
the committee?
Committee members must be nominated through the Office of Rural Health
Policy, which staffs the Committee. The nominations are then reviewed
and submitted to the Department and the Secretary makes the final appointment.