Balancing act.(2002 budget for the Department of Health and Human Services)(Brief Article)

Byline: Tommy G. Thompson

A full review of the fiscal 2002 budget for the Department of Health and Human Services will demonstrate that we are proposing a balanced, responsible approach to building a strong and healthy America.

Part of this approach involves taking another look at the way we do things on the national level. We must no longer be content to do things a certain way because "That's how we've always done it," but must instead be willing to reform our business practices and seek innovative ways to manage our programs.

And while we know that the federal government has an important role to play, we must also recognize that we must look to others--to state, local and tribal governments, to community and faith-based organizations, to the private sector and to academic institutions--for new and …