The Bush administration has taken money from the Indian Health Service and used it for homeland security and the Iraq war, according to The Washington Post.

The administration says it has been increasing the IHS budget but the 2005 request includes cuts to construction of new facilities. Democrats in Congress have tried to add more money to IHS, but Republicans have voted against it.

The lack of funding for IHS affects people on the reservation, some of who are subject to a "life or limb" policy. Federal prisoners on average receive twice the health care dollars as IHS patients.

The problem extends beyond the current administration. According to a report from the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, funding for Indian programs decreased between 1975 and 2000 when adjusted for inflation.

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On Pine Ridge, a String of Broken Promises (The Washington Post 10/21)
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