Greenlee becomes first Administration on Aging leader to speak at NRHA event
[caption id="attachment_1642" align="alignleft" width="150" caption="Brock Slabach and Kathy Greenlee"][/caption] Kathy Greenlee, U.S. assistant secretary for aging, gave the Reilly address during NRHA’s 35th Annual Rural Health Conference in Denver yesterday. “I believe most of America is rural America, and we are valuable partners,” she told 900 National Rural Health Association members. Referring to patient-centered medical homes, Greenlee said, “this is fertile ground for our future together.” “Health and wellness for seniors exists on a continuum, and my instruction for us all is ‘let’s get to work’,” she said. “Every single senior wants to stay home and engaged in their community. As the system looks to cut costs, the answer is: what can we do in our community?… We need to talk to your world and figure out how we can work together on behalf of seniors.” She explained that the Administration on Aging is charged with advocating for seniors at local, state and federal levels, much like NRHA members. “We are advocates too,” Greenlee said. “In fact, it’s in the law. That’s why I like the job.” NRHA’s conference – the largest gathering of rural health pros in the country – wrapped up today. Next year’s event will be May 7-10 in Louisville, Ky.