ACTION ALERT!
Indian Health Care Improvement Act IS Included in Health Care Reform Bill in the House!

It is time to mobilize our patients, and supporters to support the Affordable Health Choices Act (HR 3200) with the IHCIA included! We have the potential of tremendous pull in the House of Representatives because of the Urban areas we serve. Of particular interest right now is the support of Democrats that may be on the fence about the bill. Below are talking points and scripts that can be used based on where your representative currently sits regarding the bill.

The Indian Health Care Improvement Act is the basis of the Indian health care delivery system and it has been languishing in Congress for over 10 years. The long wait may finally be over. NCUIH and our sister organizations of NCAI and NIHB have been telling Congress for many long months that in order for national health care reform to be meaningful for Indian people it must include a reauthorization of the Indian Health Care Improvement Act. Speaker Nancy Pelosi heard us.

House Speaker Pelosi announced Thursday morning that she was: "excited to include the Indian Health Care Improvement Act Amendments of 2009 in HR 3200, the Affordable Health Choices Act". HR 3200 is the House of Representatives Health Insurance Reform bill and is currently on its way to the House floor for a full vote.

With Senator Dorgan working to attach IHCIA to the national health care reform bill in the Senate, this is the best and possibly ONLY opportunity we will have to pass IHCIA this year.

ACTION ITEM:

Call your Representative today and ask them to support HR 3200, the Affordable Health Choices Act and our health bill, the Indian Health Care Improvement Act.

A few things to remember when making your call:

To find your Representative visit: http://www.congress.org/ ; enter your zip code and your representative will be identified for you.

*     Call 1-800-828-0498 TOLL FREE and ask to be connected to your Members of Congress.
*     Please be polite. Ask for the Representative's Indian legislative staffer or their health legislative staffer.
*     If you are an enrolled member of a tribe, please tell them your tribal affiliation.
*     Below are talking points and a suggested script for your calls.

Talking Points for the House

 1.)    Indian Health Care Improvement Act: The Indian Health Care Improvement Act of 2009, HR 2708 has been incorporated in the merged national health care reform bill, H.R. 3200. This is the single best chance that Indian people have to pass this important piece of legislation. It is also the only chance to pass IHCIA this year. IHCIA contains modernizations that will make national reform efforts as effective as possible and without it national health care reforms cannot be utilized to their best effect.

 2.)    Health Care will be Accessible to Everyone: American Indians and Alaska Natives are roughly twice as likely to be uninsured as the rest of the population. By providing health insurance choices to all Americans and providing premium assistance and to make it affordable, health insurance reform will significantly reduce disparities in accessing high quality health care. 

3.)    Fully Funded Expansion of Medicaid Coverage: Health insurance reform will provide a major expansion of Medicaid coverage for millions of low-income working families who currently fall through the cracks. This expansion will help ensure that more American Indian and Alaska Native elders, children, and Indian people with disabilities receive high quality, comprehensive health care.

 4.)    Free Preventative Services: American Indians and Alaska Natives are often less likely to receive preventative care. Health insurance reform offers free prevention to all insured people and invests in publich health to create a system that prevents illness and disease instead of just treating it when it's too late and costs more.

 5.)    No Discrimination for Pre-Existing Conditions: Health insurance reform will eliminate discrimination in obtaining health insurance by preventing any insurance company from denying coverage based on a person's medical history, including genetic discrimination, which can disproportionately hurt American Indians and Alaska Native populations.

 6.)    Increased Data Collection: Health insurance reform will require health care programs to report on race, ethnicity, gender, and socioeconomic status in order to better understand health disparities, and devote funding to addressing these issues. The increased data that will be made available to Tribes and Tribal health facilities will assist in making smarter and more cost-effective health care choices for Indian patients.

 Samples of what to say:

 1. If your Representative has not decided how they will vote:

Encourage them to support the merged national health care reform bill, HR 3200, which includes the Indian Health Care Improvement Act, HR 2708.

"I am calling to ask Representative ____________  to support the Indian Health Care Improvement Act in the national health insurance reform bill, HR 3200. The merged national health insurance reform bill now includes this important legislation for Indian people.

As an Indian patient this bill is very important to me. IHCIA will modernize the Indian health delivery system. Provide me with better services and access to care. And will ensure that my provider of choice is able to fully utilize the reforms in the national health care reform bill.

Please ask Representative ________ to stand with Indian people and support HR 3200 which now contains the Indian Health Care Improvement Act."

2. If your member of Congress already supports HR 3200 and the Indian Health Care Improvement Act:

Give your thanks to your Representative and reinforce your support of their position by using the following example text when you call:

"I am calling to thank Representative __________ for standing up for the health of Indian people and for real health care reform for all people. Please let (him or her) know that I am glad to hear that Representative __________ supports and defends Indian health and will help us all achieve quality, affordable health care."

3.      If your member of Congress is not planning to vote for HR 3200:

Share you disappointment and encourage them to stand up for Indian health.

"I have heard that Representative ________ is opposed to the Indian Health Care Improvement Act and national health care reform for all Americans.

Please let Representative _________ know that it has been over 10 years since the Indian Health Care Improvement Act has been reauthorized. That delay has hampered our health delivery system, made Indian people sicker, and cost us hundreds of thousands of dollars in time and resources trying to get this important piece of legislation passed. Please let the Representative know that voting for the national health care reform bill will help reform not only the general health delivery system but Indian people. Please let (him or her) know that this is the single most important piece of legislation for Indian people and we hope that (he or she) will reconsider their vote."

If you have any questions please feel free to contact Danielle Delaney (ddelaney@ncuih.org <mailto:ddelaney@ncuih.org> ) at 202-544-0344 or me. Thank you and together we can get the IHCIA and HCR passed this year!

 
Geoffrey Roth
Executive Director
National Council of Urban Indian Health

Danielle Delaney, J.D.
Policy Analyst
National Council of Urban Indian Health
924 Pennsylvania Ave, SE
ph (202) 544-0344

California First Lady Maria Shriver announced today the recipients of The Minerva Awards 2009, continuing her tradition of honoring the year’s most remarkable women and highlighting their extraordinary legacies of service and contributions to California and the nation.
Helen Devore Waukazoo – Co-Founder and Executive Director of the Bay Area-based Friendship House, which provides residential substance abuse treatment for American Indians.
“This year's Minerva Award honorees are true Architects of Change,” said First Lady Maria Shriver. “They are women who have pursued their own path and true purpose and who passionately dedicate themselves to the service of others. Each of these remarkable women strive to make a difference every day and, by their example, inspire us to do the same.”
Shriver will personally present the honorees with their awards at a special ceremony during the afternoon session of The Women’s Conference on Tuesday, October 27, 2009. The Minerva Awards session will be hosted by Shriver and will also feature remarks by Caroline Kennedy and Alicia Keys.
There will be a live webcast of the Women’s Conference – the awards are scheduled to begin at 4pm on Tuesday, Oct. 27th. 

Action Alert: Health Care Reform
Indian Country Tool Kit for Health Reform

Preserving and Strengthening Indian Country’s Health Care of Choice

Currently Congress and the Obama Administration are fighting to reform our health care system. They are fighting an uphill battle against entrenched interests. Not only do Congress and the Administration need to know they have our support, they need to know what they must include in health care reform to ensure our unique health care system is preserved. As American Indians and Alaska Natives, we know more than most, that health care reform is long overdue. We need to support President Obama and his plan for national health insurance reform. But we must also make our voices heard. We must loudly insist that our system of care – the Indian Health System – BE PRESERVED AND STRENGTHENED.
The August congressional break has begun and members of Congress will be visiting their districts to speak with their constituents.  Now is the time for Indian Country to reach out to our representatives and educate them on the importance of health insurance reform and how it will affect our Indian people. It is extremely critical that they hear that health insurance reform must specifically include the health care needs and the unique health care delivery system of American Indians and Alaska Natives. The country is close to achieving comprehensive reform, and the time to step up our advocacy efforts for Indian Country is now!

In each state, advocates have activities planned to draw attention to health insurance reform such as town hall meetings, house parties, legislative visits, etc. In order to get Indian Country more active and involved in the fight for health insurance reform, National Council of Urban Indian Health, National Congress of American Indians, and the National Indian Health Board have been working together closely to ensure our voices are heard. To that end we have created this “August Recess Tool Kit”. In it you will find links and tools to get you started and resources to get you prepared in advocating for Indian Country's health care of choice.

If you need any assistance or any additional information, please contact Danielle Delaney, Policy Analyst, National Council of Urban Indian Health; 202-544-0344; ddelaney@ncuih.org.

• Letters to the Editor
  Add your personal touch to these SAMPLE LETTERS. Your local paper will have specific instructions on how to submit a letter, so be sure to check with your opinion page editors.

• Health Reform Fliers
  Post fliers at county fairs, festivals, community events, etc.

SAMPLE FLIER 1
SAMPLE FLIER 2
SAMPLE FLIER 3

• Talking Points
  Use these Indian Country talking points when visiting your area representatives or when calling your members of Congress.

Health Insurance Reform in Indian Country
Protect and Strengthen the Indian Health Care Delivery System

• Resources
  Documents and links that help explain what health insurance reform can do for the American people and why we should support it.

Fact Sheets and Links about America's Affordable Health Choices Act
10 Reasons to Support Health Care Reform
State-by-State Fact Sheet
District-by Districk Impact of America's Affordable Health Choices Act

• Health Reform One-Pagers for Everyone

Health Reform for Americans
Health Reform for Minorites
Health Reform for Small Businesses
Health Reform for Young Adults
Health Reform for Retirees
Health Reform for Seniors
Health Reform for Women