The House Natural Resources Committee will hold a hearing on Thursday, June 25, on H.R.2708, the reauthorization of the Indian Health Care Improvement Act.

Rep. Frank Pallone (D-New Jersey) introduced the bill on June 4. It reauthorizes key health programs, updates the Indian health care system and offers tribes more flexibility to deliver health care services.

Tribal and Indian leaders discussed Indian health care reform at a Senate Indian Affairs Committee on Thursday. Witnesses called for more federal funds to fulfill the government's trust responsibility to American Indians and Alaska Natives.

The IHCIA was passed in 1976 but it expired in 2000. Republican lawmakers and the Bush administration held up reauthorization from 2001-2008.

Committee Notice:
Full Committee Legislative Hearing On H.R. 2708 (June 25, 2009)

Get the Story:
Tribal leaders seek health care reform (The Great Falls Tribune 6/12)

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Senate hearing on Indian health care reform (6/11)
Witness list for hearing on Indian health reform (6/10)
Senate Indian Affairs hearing on health care reform (6/5)