Editorial: Shameful inaction on Indian health care

Thursday, September 20, 2007  

"It's been years since the federal Indian health care system received the kind of wholesale review and overhaul it so desperately needs.

So while it was encouraging to see the Senate Finance Committee voted 20-1 to approve the Indian Health Care Improvement Act last week, one could be forgiven for a measure of skepticism.

For years, the program has been funded at per-person levels far below mainstream health care, and the quality of care has suffered for it.

According the IHS's own fact sheets, more than two thirds of claims for necessary health care procedures not available within the IHS system are denied because of budget constraints. The system functions by paying claims for only the most necessary care - when loss of life or limb are imminent."

Get the Story:
Editorial: Hope for Indian Health Service (The Sioux Falls Argus Leader 9/20)

Finance Committee Documents:
Markup | Press Release | Open Executive Session to consider the “The Medicare, Medicaid and SCHIP Indian Health Care Improvement Act of 2007” (September 12, 2007)

Indian Health Care Improvement Act Amendments:
H.R.1328 | S.1200

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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