American Journalist James Foley, pictured in 2011. Foley's beheading at the hands of the Islamic State militant group has forced a debate over how the U.S. balances its policy of not paying ransoms.
This post was updated at 1:25 p.m. ET to include comment from the White House press secretary.
The Obama administration is preparing to announce changes in the way it deals with families whose loved ones have been taken hostage by terrorist groups such as the self-declared Islamic State militant group. Families were invited to a private meeting with administration officials Tuesday in advance of a public announcement at the White House on Wednesday.
Families have complained in the past that they felt neglected and received mixed messages from the government. While the White House is not expected to shift its long-standing opposition to paying ransom for hostages, it is expected to give families a tacit OK if they choose to negotiate on their own.
"The sense ... was that the administration could be more effective in delivering clear information, in some cases instructions, to the families of those who were going through this terrible ordeal," White House press secretary Josh Earnest said. "So the sense was, this was a process that could be improved."
Earnest noted that details of the revised policy would be released Wednesday.
Congressman John Delaney, D-Md., whose constituent Warren Weinstein was held captive for more than 3 1/2 years before being accidentally killed by a U.S. drone strike earlier this year, pointed out: "What they have said is they're looking at the policy with respect to families. Right now, under U.S. law, families are ... prohibited from having any discussions with captors as it relates to their loved ones. And what the White House has said is they will look at that to see if some flexibility might make sense."
The federal government itself would maintain its policy of not negotiating with hostage-takers.
"The president continues to believe, as previous presidents have concluded, that it's not in the best interest of American citizens to pay ransoms to any organization, let alone a terrorist organization," Earnest said in November. "Knowing that terrorist organizations can extract a ransom from the United States if they take a hostage, only puts American citizens at greater risk."
Earnest reiterated that stance Tuesday, arguing the president continues to oppose ransoms for hostages, because the concessions to terrorists not only help fund their operations, but also make Americans more of a target than they already are.
"The president does continue to believe it's important for the United States of America to adhere closely to a no-concessions policy." And "that is a policy that was not under review in this process."
The administration launched a review of the policy last fall after several high-profile executions of U.S. hostages, beginning with journalist James Foley.
Foley's mother had a hard time getting information from the government while her son was in captivity.
"We had to beg," Diane Foley told ABC News in September. "They really didn't have time for us."
As a result of the review, the administration is expected to set up a central clearinghouse, or "fusion cell," within the FBI to coordinate all government efforts with regard to hostages and their families.
Congressman Duncan Hunter, R-Calif., argues the FBI is the wrong agency to lead that effort.
"The FBI is not organized or developed for hostage recovery in hostile areas, yet they are leading the fusion cell," Hunter said in a written statement. "Wholesale changes are needed, but what's being put forward is nothing more than window dressing."
Hunter and Delaney have both called for a single coordinator of U.S. hostage policy.
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Transcript
RACHEL MARTIN, HOST:
The White House has been walking a delicate line when it comes to how it handles the families of people who've been taken hostage abroad. Now the administration is about to announce changes to its policy. That could include subtle permission for those families to negotiate directly with hostage-takers. More than two dozen Americans have been kidnapped by terrorists over the last five years. NPR's Scott Horsley has more.
SCOTT HORSLEY, BYLINE: The White House has been going over its hostage policy since late last year when families of some victims complained neglect and even threats from their own government made a terrible ordeal even worse. Journalist James Foley was held captive by ISIS for nearly two years before he was brutally murdered last summer. His mother, Diane Foley, told ABC the U.S. government offered little in the way of information or support.
(SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED RECORDING)
DIANE FOLEY: We had to beg. We were an annoyance, it felt at some level. You know, they really didn't have time for us.
HORSLEY: After a months-long review, President Obama is expected to order the creation of a new office to oversee hostage recovery efforts. White House spokesman, Josh Earnest, says this so-called fusion cell will help coordinate moves by the FBI, the State Department, the intelligence community and the military. It'll also help the government speak to families with a single voice.
(SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED RECORDING)
JOSH EARNEST: We can improve our ability to communicate with the families of those who are placed in this terrible situation.
HORSLEY: In the past, families say they sometimes got mixed messages from the government. The FBI, for example, helped the family of one hostage as it tried to make a ransom payment which was ultimately unsuccessful. Diane Foley told ABC other parts of the government warned such payments could lead to prison.
(SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED RECORDING)
FOLEY: We were told very clearly three times that it was illegal for us to try to ransom our son out and that we had the possibility of being prosecuted.
HORSLEY: The administration is expected to send a tacit signal to hostage families that they won't be punished for negotiating with terrorists. Democratic congressman John Delaney of Maryland calls that a welcome change.
JOHN DELANEY: What they have said is that they're looking at the policy with respect to families because right now under U.S. law, families are also prohibited from having any discussions with captors as it relates to their loved ones. And what the White House has said is they're going to look at that to see whether some flexibility might make sense.
HORSLEY: But White House Spokesman Earnest says the policy against the government itself paying ransom will not change for fear that would only encourage more kidnapping.
(SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED RECORDING)
EARNEST: To offer concessions to terrorists only does allow them to more effectively fund their operations, but also makes American citizens around the globe an even more significant target than they already are.
HORSLEY: The administration's overhaul is not likely to end the debate over U.S. hostage policy. Republican congressman Duncan Hunter of California, for example, says the FBI is the wrong agency to lead the fusion cell since it has comparatively little presence overseas. Elaine Weinstein, whose husband Warren was accidently killed in captivity by a U.S. drone strike earlier this year, complained of inconsistent and disappointing treatment by the government. She said today she hopes hers is the last family to find itself in that position. Scott Horsley, NPR News, the White House. Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR.
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