California tribes seek bigger share of health funding

Tuesday, May 1, 2007  

California has the second-largest Indian population in the nation but Indian leaders say they aren't receiving their fair share of health care funding.

California has no fully-funded Indian Health Service facilities, according to Medill Reports. That means tribes and Indian health organizations have to use money meant for specialty care on standard services.

Overall, tribes and health organizations receive only half as much money as other tribes. Indian leaders hope to see changes with the reauthorization of the Indian Health Care Improvement Act.

The bill passed the House Natural Resources Committee last week. Two more committees must review the bill before it makes it out of the House.

A similar version has been introduced in the Senate.

Get the Story:
American Indian health care unfair to California tribes (Medill Reports 4/30)

House Bill:
Indian Health Care Improvement Act Amendments of 2007 (H.R.1328)

Relevant Documents:
Letter to President Bush | Letter to Alberto Gonzales | DOJ White Paper

Relevant Links:
Indian Health Service - http://www.ihs.gov
National Indian Health Board - http://www.nihb.org

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