78 



In Indiana we have a pilot program that links children's homes 

 with their schools via the phone lines. Students like the 

 computers as much as Nintendo. They're actually doing more 

 homework. Parents are more involved in their children's lessons, 

 and parent-teacher communication has increased dramatically, 

 thanks to the use of computers. 



In this new information age, computers can link rural schools 

 with research universities; rural hospitals with major medical 

 centers; and small town libraries with major centers of learning. 



These are tangible partnerships we can foster immediately 

 between rural and urban America. 



Our challenge is making the technology available to a 

 technologically literate public. 



Another essential component of our strategy for economic 

 growth must be the implementation of a universal health care 

 program. 



The Congressional Budget Office estimates that Medicare 

 funding alone will skyrocket this year by $21 billion, or more 

 than the cost of the entire farm program. 



