"The state of Indian Country is strong, according to the president of the National Congress of American Indians. Today Jefferson Keel presented the State of Indian Nations Address in Washington D.C.

Despite advancements in tribal governing, leaders are worried about the coming sequester, and what it means for Indian Health Services.

Yvette Roubideaux leads the Indian Health Service. She says the sequester would slash nearly all aspects of the federal government, but the effects would hurt most in native communities.

“Three-thousand inpatient admissions and 804,000 outpatient visits would have to be cut to be able to absorb the sequester,” Roubideaux said.

Keel put a more human face on the figures, saying the cuts to IHS would hit at the community level – not just jobs in Washington D.C."

Get the Story:
Officials Concerned About Sequester Effects On Indian Health Services (Alaska Public Radio Network 2/14)

Relevant Links:
Video | Audio | Text of Speech | Sen. Cantwell Response

Related Stories:
NCAI President Jefferson Keel to give State of Indian Nations (2/12)