House Bill, H.R. 3668, was introduced to reauthorize the Special Diabetes Programs for Indians (SPDI), which funding is set to expire after FY 2011.
Contact your representatives and ask them to become a co sponsor of this important legislation.
Click here for a copy H.R. 3668
To read the legislative alert regarding this bill click here
Sample letter for requesting support of SDPI – click here (.doc)
President Obama shifted his focus to the economy and jobs during his State of the Union address. While health care reform is still a top issue, Congress will turn to legislation that will aim at creating jobs!
The National Tribal Contract Support Cost Coalition on Funding for Contract Support Costs (CSC) provided testimony to the U.S. Senate on Indian Affairs with their recommendation to seriously consider enhanced funding for contract support costs in jobs legislation. To download a copy of the testimony click here.
CSC Payments are critical for tribes to operate health facilities across the country. An increase in CSC funds will result in more immediate health related positions being filled across Indian Country. Congress can provide funding that will create jobs and improve health services!
Action Needed:
Contact your Senator and Senate Committee on Indian Affairs
Chairman Dorgan and ask them to include contract support
cost funding in the new jobs bill!
Congressional Switchboard:
1(800) 828-0498 or (202) 224-3121
Questions? Contact Dennis Worden (202) 507-4087 or Jennifer Cooper (202) 507-4076
For a copy of this legislative alert, please click here.
A friend of Indian Country and Chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, Senator Byron L. Dorgan announced his retirement stating he would not seek re-election to the U.S. Senate in 2010.
Beginning in 2006, Senator Dorgan served as the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs and has been a strong advocate of Indian Country issues. Dorgan has worked tirelessly to pass the Indian Health Care Improvement Act and this year under his leadership, the IHCIA was included in the Senate health care reform bill. It is likely to pass!
The announcement of his retirement will be a tremendous loss for Indian Country, but he will continue to serve the people for one more year. The National Indian Health Board is thankful for his 30 years of leadership in Congress and his service to American Indians and Alaska Natives.
Senator Dorgan has issued a letter to Indian Country about his retirement announcement.
“As you may have already heard, I announced last week that I was not going to seek re-election to the U.S. Senate later this year. I wanted to write you this letter to tell you…”
To read the letter, please click here.
Congressman Rahall is introducing an Indian health amendments package to H.R. 3200 to ensure that the necessary protections are in place for the Indian health care system.
Click here for a copy of the legislative alert about what you can do to help!
Health Care Reform Support Letter template
The California Rural Health Board and the Northwest Portland Health Board support Rahall’s amendments. Please click here to see their letter of support.
Various national organizations and councils on healthcare or community coalitions have submitted a written letter of support for the Rahall amendments. For a copy of the letter please click here.
To understand more about the Rahall proposed amendments changes that protect the Indian health care system there are two documents provided. Click on the title below to view the document:Congress is in the final stage of developing a final health care reform bill. Here are key documents for your use and review.
Letters
Indian Country Recommendations Regarding Indian Provisions in Health Care Reform Bills, dated December 23, 2009.
This is a cover memo describing the recommendation charts below.
Charts
Recommendations regarding the Indian Health Care Improvement Act (IHCIA) Provisions in the House and Senate Bills
Recommendations regarding Indian Specific Provisions, other than the IHCIA, in the House and Senate Bills Comprehensive chart
House Bill, Affordable Health Care for America Act (H.R. 3962)
Senate Bill, Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, (H.R. 3590)
To download the manager’s amendment, click here.
Version of IHCIA (S. 1790) reported out by the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs with the House version as adopted in House health care reform bill (H.R. 3962), as of 11/28/09, click here
For a condensed table of contents of the comparison place click here
To view the bill, please click here or visit http://democrats.senate.gov/.
To view the congressional budget office report, please click here.
To view a list of Indian Specific Provisions in the Senate Health Care Reform Bill, please click here.
For information and a copy of the Chairman’s Mark – America’s Healthy Future Act of 2009, please visit the Senate Finance site:
http://finance.senate.gov/
sitepages/baucus.htm
Summary of Indian specific provisions in Chairman’s Mark. click here (PDF)
Kimberly Teehee, Senior Policy Advisor for Native American Affairs at the White House Domestic Policy Council has posted a video regarding the myths and rumors surrounding health insurance reform and the Indian Health Service (IHS).
To view this video blog click here
FAQs of American Indian and Alaska Natives in Health Care Reform
The Indian Health Care Improvement Act (IHCIA), the foundation for the health care delivery system of American Indians and Alaska Natives, has been waiting for reauthorization for 10 years and Indian Country is one step closer to reauthorization of the IHCIA.
The House successfully passed H.R. 3962 – the Affordable Health Care for America Act by a vote of 220-215. To read the NIHB press release click here.
Please reach out to your congressional members and thank them for their support.
The Indian Health Care Improvement Act (IHCIA) has not been included in the Senate Health Care Reform Bill. Majority Leader Reid needs to hear from YOU! Let him know that IHCIA is a top priority for Indian Country.
Call Senator Reid’s Office (202) 224-2158 and ask him to include IHCIA in the Senate’s health reform legislation.
To download copy of the NIHB Legislative Alert click here.
Senator Dorgan, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, filed two amendments to the Senate health care reform bill – the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (H.R. 3590). The Senate bill does not include the IHCIA language. Including the IHCIA in the Senate bill will help strengthen the chances of the IHCIA remaining in the bill when the House and Senate health care reform bills are merged.
With the filing of these amendments, Indian Country is one-step closer to passage of the reauthorization of IHCIA and additional appropriations for contract care.
To view Dorgan Amendment SA 2923 - Adding the Indian Health Care Improvement Act Reauthorization and Extension Act (S. 1790). click here!
To view Dorgan Amendment SA 2922 - Adding funding for Contract Medical Care click here!
To download a copy of the legislative alert released on December 10, 2009 regarding, the Inclusion of the IHCIA in Senate Health Care Reform Bill click here.
To ensure that the amendments are debated and passed, we need your help! Contact your Senators and ask them to support Dorgan’s amendments.
It has taken more than 10 years to get to this point, and we are getting closer, but we need your help to reach the finish line.
Call and write your Senators TODAY!!
Urge them to include IHCIA in health care legislation!
Call the Capitol Switch Board (202) 224-3121 to speak with you Senator.
To find out your Senator’s contact information click here!
Send a letter to your Senator today!
To download a sample letter that you can use to contact your Senator click here!
To download a copy of the IHCIA Fact Sheet please click here.
To download a copy of this legislative alert, please click here.
Side by Side Comparison of HR 2708 with previous bills and current law
Senator Dorgan, Chairman of the Senate Committee of Indian Affairs with 15 originals cosponsors introduced a bill to reauthorize the Indian Health Care Improvement Act (IHCIA) S. 1790.
To download a copy of S. 1790 click here.
A chart that summarizes the amendments offered during the mark up of S. 1790 and the amendments to S. 1790 are available for download:
· Summary Chart
· Senator Dorgan’s Manager’s Amendment (#892)
· Cantwell-Udall Amendment (#816)
· Tester Amendment (#833)
· Franken Amendment (#824)
· Murkowski Amendment (#823, #771, #826)
· Murkowski Amendment (#852 -853)
For a side by side comparison of senate version of IHCIA (S. 1790) with the house version as adopted in house health care reform bill, as of 11/28/09, click here.
To download a copy of the Comparison of the Senate Version of Indian Health Care Improvement Reauthorization and Extensions Action of 2009 with Current Law and 2nd Report on Recommendations from the National Tribal Steering Committee for the Reauthorization of the Indian Health Care Improvement Act click here.A concept paper written by the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs click here to read the paper in full (pdf).
Tribal Action
Open Tribal Leader Letter Supporting Reauthorization of the Indian health Care Improvement Act, dated June 2009
NIHB Letter to House of Representatives requesting support for IHCIA, Dated June 26, 2009
Please contact your congressional members and ask them to support the H.R. 2708.