The Montana-Wyoming Tribal Leaders held its seventh annual health conference in Billings, Montana, this week.

Tribal leaders vowed to fight the Bush administration's proposal to eliminate the $33 million urban Indian health program. They said the loss of money would pose a burden to underfunded reservation clinics.

Speakers said the Indian Health Service budget does not meet existing needs in Indian Country. One tribal council member said the agency rations out care based on a "life and limb" policy. Others have said health care funds usually run out by June of every year.

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Health cuts concern Indian leaders (The Billings Gazette 4/7)

FY2007 HHS Budget in Brief:
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Relevant Links:
Montana-Wyoming Tribal Leaders - http://www.mtwytlc.com
Indian Health Service - http://www.ihs.gov

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