Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius addressed the National Congress of American Indians this morning during its 2012 executive council winter session in Washington, D.C.

Sebelius, the former governor of Kansas, noted that the the budget for the Indian Health Service has increased 29 percent since President Barack Obama took office. That includes a 46 percent increase in contract health service funds, which are used to pay for care at non-IHS facilities.

"There is still a significant need," Sebelius told tribal leaders. "There is still care denied and still care deferred, but we are finally beginning to stem the tide."

Sebelius also noted that the two-year anniversary of the Affordable Care Act, is approaching. The law includes a permanent reauthorization of the Indian Health Care Improvement Act.

The full text of the speech can be found at www.hhs.gov/secretary/about/speeches/sp20120306.html.

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