The Inaugural Rural Health Summit was a success. The Rural Health Clinic study report was completed. The road ahead will require new efforts and participation by any interested party. But sometimes the road will not be easy. We need only to look ahead to what will be a likely outcome of redistricting after the year 2000 census as a result of population growth and shifts.
Early predictions suggest a loss of rural representation at both the state and federal level.
That will mean fewer voices for rural needs, including rural health needs, and the need for stronger, proactive, better coordinated advocacy. Thank you to each of you that has already participated in a working group, invited the Center to participate in a meeting or workshop, submitted applications for any of the Center's programs' benefits, called for information or assistance, asked for policy input or answers, or just asked for directions. The Center is proud to be the State Office of Rural Health for our State of Texas. Yes, in the heart of downtown Austin, there is this little piece of the country, something inherently and proudly rural.