Sen. Coburn won't hold up Indian health bill

Monday, January 21, 2008  

Sen. Tom Coburn (R-Oklahoma) says he won't hold up debate on the Health Care Improvement Act.

S.1200 goes to the Senate floor tomorrow. Coburn, who has been critical of the bill in the past, plans to introduce several amendments aimed at improving the Indian Health Service.

"We're going to have a pretty good battle on Indian health care," Coburn told The Oklahoman. "I'll lose."

Coburn says the bill will continue to subject Native Americans to "second-rate” health care, a characterization disputed by Sen. Byron Dorgan (D-North Dakota), the chairman of the Senate Indian Affairs Committee. Coburn is a member of the committee.

Get the Story:
Coburn plans battle on Indian care bill (The Oklahoman 1/120)
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House Energy and Commerce Committee Documents:
Summary | Manager's Amendment | Press Release | Webcast

Indian Health Care Improvement Act Amendments:
S.1200 | 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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