Indian Health Care Act introduced in Senate

Sen. Byron Dorgan (D-North Dakota) introduced the Senate version of the Indian Health Care Improvement Act last week.

Dorgan, the chairman of the Senate Indian Affairs Committee said the bill tackles the crisis of health care in Indian Country. It addresses the backlog of health facilities and sanitation construction, extends long-term and preventive health programs and elevates the director of the Indian Health Service to an assistant secretary position.

S.1200 has 13 co-sponsors, including Sen. Craig Thomas (R-Wyoming), the vice chair of the committee.

Get the Story:
Senators look at care for Indians (The Sioux Falls Argus Leader 5/2)

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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Montana and Wyoming tribes host health conference (04/06)
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Kara Briggs: The fight to reauthorize IHCIA (3/21)
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Hearings on Indian Health Care Improvement Act (3/5)
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Harjo: GOP calls Indian health care 'race-based' (2/12)
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Interview: Inadequate health care in Indian Country (01/16)
Joint hearing on Indian health care act postponed (11/14)
Final push for health care bill in 109th Congress (11/13)
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