The Indian Health Care Improvement Act needs support — now. Or it could be removed from the the Health Care Reform bill before Congress. I’ve been asked by some of my health care advocate friends to share some information with readers on this matter. Read on.
I am sharing a memo from Tribal Leaders. Please consider circulating it to support improving healthcare to Indian peoples.
Forwarded Memo:
Dear Elected Tribal Leaders, Key Staff, Community members, and Program Directors:
We are in the midst of a Partisan Battle to insure that the Provisions and Amendments carried in the Former Indian Health care improvement Act are honored a Treaty Obligations in the Senate Version of Health Reform Legislation.
Now is the time to call and send Letter, faxes, and E-mails to all the Senators especially those on the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs to assure that our wishes are honored in any Health Care Legislation and assurances that the final Senate-House Agreed upon legislation does not exclude our Needs and authorized Language and eventually appropriations.
We need Thousands of Letters routed to the Senate clearly outling our concerns and Needs.
Thank you for your assistance.
Gordon Belcourt
Executive Director
MT-WY Tribal Leaders Council
406-252-2550
www.mtwytlc.com
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And here is a memo from the National Congress of American Indians:
Calls Needed Today
To Include IHCIA in Senate Health Reform Bill
It is critical that your Senators hear from you right away with your message of support that the Indian Health Care Improvement Act (IHCIA) be included in health care reform.
Your Calls Work!
Because of all the calls and letters written to the House, we were successful in including the IHCIA in the House of Representatives Affordable Health Care for America Act (H.R. 3962). But our work is not over – we have to turn our attention to the Senate.
As the Senate prepares to consider health care legislation, Indian Country needs to ensure it includes reforms for all Americans by including IHCIA. Senators need to hear from Indian Country so they know that there is support to include IHCIA.
By including IHCIA in the Senate, it will help strengthen the chances of the bill during conference between the House and Senate before a final bill is sent to President Obama. It has taken more than 10 years to get to this point, and we are close, but we need your help to reach the finish line.
Action Item:
Call and Write (sample letter) your Senator today urging them to include S. 1790 in the Senate health reform legislation.
Message:
This is the only opportunity to get IHCIA passed this year.
Please support Indian Country’s health care of choice and include S. 1790 in the Senate health bill.
To contact your Senator:
Capital Switchboard: 202.224.3141
Or visit: http://www.senate.gov/
For additional information, please contact Ahniwake Rose, Health Policy Analyst, at 202.466.7767 or arose@ncai.org
A sample letter is attached for your use:
The Honorable ___________
United States Senate
Washington, DC 20510
Dear Senator _______:
As the Senate prepares to debate health care legislation, on behalf of (insert name of Tribe or Tribal Organization here), we urge you to include the Indian Health Care Improvement Act (IHCIA) in the Senate’s health care reform bill.
The IHCIA is the baseline for all health care for American Indians and Alaska Natives. Since 1992, when the IHCIA was last overhauled, the American health care system has been revolutionized, but the Indian health care system has not been. It is imperative that the IHCIA be reauthorized to begin to bridge this gap. Including IHCIA in a health care reform bill will modernize the Indian health care system at the same time as Congress is reforming health care for all Americans.
We have been fighting for 10 years to get IHCIA reauthorized – and this is our only chance to get the IHCIA reauthorization through Congress. With your leadership to include IHCIA in comprehensive health care reform, Indian country can realize the critical improvements to health care that we have sought so long to achieve.
So, as the Senate considers health care legislation, I respectfully ask that you support including the IHCIA as part of this legislation. Indian Country needs to be part of comprehensive health care reform. Thank you for your consideration and for all that you have done to promote, advance and strengthen health care for American Indians and Alaska Natives.
That’s it for now folks.
Thanks.
Jodi Rave
