Indian Health Care Improvement Act

Susan Harjo Article from Indian Country Today - IHCIA

Harjo: Republican policy-makers oppose health bill as “race-based” (click for article)

 

 

On December 8, 2006, knowing that S.1057 (Indian Health Care Improvement Act Amendments) would NOT pass the Senate in 2006, Senators McCain, Dorgan, Enzi and Murkowski introduced S.4122 to amend the IHCIA. S.4122 reflects last minute changes to the IHCIA that were made to address the Department of Justice and Republic Sterring Committee concerns.

 

 

On September 29, 2006, the last day of the pre-election Session of Congress, S. 1057, the Indian Health Care Improvement Act Amendments of 2006, failed to pass in the Senate. Senate holds were placed on the bill due to an unofficial document released from the Department of Justice (DOJ) opposing the bill (Adobe Acrobat PDF). The DOJ White Paper was issued without DOJ letterhead or signature.

 

Click to view S. 4122 in its entirety.

Click to view a summary of the major changes to 1057 per 4122.

Click to view the HHS comments to the bill.

Click to view the Department of Justice "White Paper".

Click to view the NCUIH Response to the White Paper.

Click to view NIHB response to DOJ White Paper.

Click to view document on Status of State Recognized Tribes

 

 

 

 

 

The National Council of Urban Indian Health also prepared a resolution requesting the Administration to withdraw a Department of Justice memorandum and support passage of the Indian Health Care Improvement Act reauthorization legislation without further opposition.

 

Click to view NCUIH Resolution.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Click to view a speech by Senator Dorgan, newly elected Chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs.

"HEALTH CARE FOR THE FIRST AMERICANS"