Pelosi Supports Passage of IHCIA |
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Date Posted: 11/10/2009 Description: WASHINGTON, D.C. - While tribal priority lists were as diverse as the tribes attending last weeks White House Tribal Nations Conference, most tribal leaders agreed that improved health care for Native Americans should be at the top of the list. Tribal leaders are also hopeful that a high-level meeting with Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi on Nov. 4 will result in inclusion of the Indian Health Care Improvement Act (IHCIA) in the Affordable Health Care for America Act. The tribes have good support for passage of the (Indian Health Care) Improvement Act for the first time in over 10 years. With Speaker Pelosis support I think it will finally pass, said Buford Roland, chairman of the National Indian Health Board, who attended the meeting with Pelosi. During the meeting with tribal leaders, Speaker Pelosi expressed her commitment to ensuring that the federal government meet its obligation to provide quality health care to Native people. For a long time we have been fighting for Native Americans to have access to quality health care, said Speaker Pelosi. Finally, in the Affordable Health Care for America Act we will be able to reauthorize the IHCIA, and ensure that our First Americans receive the care they need. Following President Obamas address, tribal leaders highlighted the importance of health care on their list of critical needs in their communities. I feel the most important issue for tribes right now is the shortage of dollars for Indian Health Service programs. The Obama Administration has brought on Dr. Yvette Roubideaux (IHS director) and I am hopeful that the administration is making improved health care a priority, said Robert Bear, chairman of the Shoshone-Paiute Tribe. Another tribal leader said he included health care among his 9,000-member tribes top three priorities. The three primary issues for the Comanche Tribe are education, health and the economy. The way we can make progress in these areas is to begin having a government-to-government dialogue with the top elected leaders like we are doing here now, said Mike Burgess, chairman of the Comanche Tribe of Oklahoma. The Shoshone-Bannock Tribes were among more than 200 tribes that attended a roundtable with Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius Nov. 3. At the meeting, Fort Hall Business Council Chairman Alonzo Coby submitted a statement requesting the need for: " The Federal Government to fulfill its treaty obligation to provide quality health care to Native Americans. " The Indian Health Service s and Tribal Health services to be fully funded by the federal government. " Additional funding for facility and technology improvements. " Additional funding is needed for contract health services. Besides Roland, tribal representatives that participate in the meeting with Speaker Pelosi included: W. Ron Allen (Chairman, Jamestown S'Klallam Tribe), Matthew Franklin (Chairman, Ione Band of Miwok Indians), Floyd Jourdain (Chairman, Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indians), Cheryl Kennedy (Chairwoman, Confederated Tribes of the Grande Ronde Community), Hope MacDonald (Councilwoman, Navajo Nation), Marshall McKay (Chairman, Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation), Mark Macarro (Chairman, Pechanga Band of Luiseno Indians), Juana Majel-Dixon (Councilwoman, Pauma Band of Mission Indians), Richard Milanovich (Chairman, Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians), Mark Mitchell (Governor, Pueblo of Tesuque), Ned Norris, Jr. (Chairman, Tohono O'odham Nation), Brian Patterson (President, United South and Eastern Tribes), Samuel Penney (Chairman, Nez Perce Tribe), Chandler Sanchez (Governor, Pueblo of Acoma), Theresa Two Bulls (President, Oglala Sioux Tribe), and Lynn Valbuena (Vice Chairwoman, San Manuel Band of Mission Indians).
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