Rahall, Pallone and Young Introduce Indian Health Care Reauthorization Bill

Washington, D.C. In an effort to improve access to quality medical care for nearly two million American Indians and Alaska Natives, Rep. Nick J. Rahall (D-WV), Rep. Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ), and Rep. Don Young (R-AK) today introduced long-overdue legislation to reauthorize the Indian Health Care Improvement Act (IHCIA) the cornerstone legal authority for providing health services to these communities.

We should not be debating, year after year, whether or not a live-saving program like the Indian Health Care Improvement Act merits reauthorization. Ensuring American Indians have access to a modernized and improved health care system is an undebatable federal responsibility, and an imperative need in todays world. It is time for the Congress to act immediately to reauthorize Indian health care this year. Our Native communities should not have to wait any longer, said Rahall, Chairman of the House Natural Resources Committee.

"Many Native Americans are forced to endure a level of health care that is far below the general population," said Pallone, Chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health. "Clinics are understaffed, structures are in disrepair, and equipment is outdated. Our legislation will correct these inequities and raise Indian health care to a higher level, where it belongs. I am committed to move Indian health care through my subcommittee and garner the support necessary for House passage as soon as possible."

The purpose of this landmark legislation is to increase and enhance the federal governments efforts in the care and education of American Indians and Alaska Natives by improving the services and facilities of federal health programs and encouraging the maximum participation of American Indians and Alaska Natives in such programs. Our legislation responds to the changes that have occurred in the delivery of Indian health services in the decade since the last reauthorization of the Indian Health Care Improvement Act. During this time, more than half of the tribes in the United States have exercised their rights under the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act to assume responsibility to carry out programs of the Indian Health Service on their own behalf, said Young, Ranking Member of the House Natural Resources Committee.

First enacted in 1976, IHCIA is the primary source of medical care for 1.9 million American Indians and Alaska Natives, many of whom live in isolated, sparsely-populated and underserved areas of the country. It was originally enacted based upon findings that the health status of Indian people ranked far below that of the general population. Yet, this integral initiative has not been reauthorized in 15 years, despite solid bipartisan congressional support and was allowed to expire in 2001.

H.R. 1328 will improve the basic framework of the law, through revisions in the following areas:

• Provisions designed to aid in recruitment and retention of medical professionals for Indian health programs;
• Authorization for more efficient and cost-effective methods of health care delivery;
• Greater roles for tribes in health care delivery, including local-priority setting;
• Authorization for a nationally certified Community Health Aide Program to supply medical care in underserved, remote areas;
• Innovative options for funding of the Indian Health Service;
• Consolidation of substance abuse, mental health, and social services programs into a holistic system for behavioral health services;
• Amendments to the Social Security Act to improve access to Medicare, Medicaid, and State Childrens Health Insurance programs for Indians and Alaska Natives.

From the beginning and throughout the process, the National Steering Committee for the Reauthorization of the Indian Health Care Improvement Act made up of tribal and health care professionals from across Indian Country has been a driving force behind this legislation.

Chairman Rahall has scheduled a full committee legislative hearing on H.R. 1328 for Wednesday, March 14, at 10:00 a.m. in Room 1324 Longworth House Office Building. The hearing will be webcast live on the Committees web site at https://resourcescommittee.house.gov.