Improving Federal Health Care in Rural America: Developing the Workforce and Building Partnerships

The purpose of the hearing was to discuss efforts by the federal health care workforce to address the needs of rural America, including veterans and Native Americans in those communities.  The hearing identified some of the challenges of this task, including efforts to recruit and retain a quality federal health care workforce, and to highlight various opportunities for collaboration and cost-sharing, including stronger partnerships between agencies, local individuals and the private sector.  In addition, the hearing provided an opportunity to discuss how individuals in rural communities are affected by a lack of access to health care services, specifically mental health care, and what can be done to improve access for these individuals.