Forum to address state rural health issues

Is there a nursing shortage in Wisconsin? What can be done to train nurses for rural Wisconsin? How can community clinics increase their role? These and other questions will be on the minds of concerned citizens, health-care professionals and legislators when they convene to discuss key issues facing rural Wisconsin at a rural health forum scheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 16. The forum, which is held quarterly, is sponsored by the Wisconsin Office of Rural Health.

A series of three half-hour morning presentations will highlight several work-force issues, including strategies to address a continued shortage of registered nurses, as well as identifying opportunities and barriers for nurse-practitioners, physician assistants and certified nurse-midwives.

The forum will be capped by a panel discussion that will examine the ramifications of recent groundbreaking legislation that will provide federally-funded community health centers with $5.5 million in state funds over the next biennium.

The panel, which will be moderated by Sarah Lewis, the executive director of the Wisconsin Primary Health Care Association, will include executive directors from two community health clinics, as well as several legislators.

Legislators scheduled to attend include newly appointed Senate Assistant Minority Leader Brian Rude (Coon Valley), and representatives Antonio Riley (Milwaukee), a member of the Joint Finance Committee, and Gregg Underheim (Oshkosh), chair of the Assembly Health Committee.

According to Fred Moskol, director of the Office of Rural Health, the panel discussion is likely to be lively. “This is the first time the legislature has voted to give state funding to community health centers,” said Moskol. “These clinics that are important state resources for the uninsured and underinsured offer an excellent model for statewide support.”

The Rural Health Forum will take place from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. at the Sheraton Madison Hotel, 706 John Nolen Drive. A registration fee of $25 includes lunch, break and materials. Questions can be addressed to Barbara Duerst at (608) 265-5116 or 1-800-385-0005 or by e-mail at bduerst@facstaff.wisc.edu.