Rep. Norm Dicks (D-Washington), the top Democrat on the House Interior Appropriations subcommittee, says he will fight the Bush administration's request to eliminate the urban Indian health care program.
President Bush's fiscal year 2007 budget zeroes out the $33 million program. Dicks said the proposal will be a "tragedy" for Seattle and the entire nation.
Seattle is home to the largest urban Indian clinic, run by the Seattle Indian Health Board. If the cut goes into effect, the clinic would lose 40 percent of its budget and be forced to cut back on critical services.
The White House claims American Indians and Alaska Natives in urban areas can seek care through a community health center program. But a state health official said "it's not likely" any Seattle-area clinics qualify for the funds.
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