S. 1200 would amend the Indian Health Care Improvement Act to revise and extend the Act.
Detailed Summary
Indian Health Care Improvement Act Amendments of 2007 - Amends the Indian Health Care Improvement Act to revise requirements for health care programs and services for Indians, Indian tribes, tribal organizations, and urban Indian organizations.
Provides for: (1) expanded coverage for qualified Indians in the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) under title XXI of the Social Security Act (SSA), as well as Medicare under SSA title XVIII and Medicaid under SSA title XIX; and (2) related payments to Indian Health Programs and Urban Indian Organizations operating in the state.
Replaces the Urban Health Programs Branch with a Division of Urban Indian Health.
Requires the Indian Health Service to be administered by an Assistant Secretary for Indian Health (currently, it is administered by a Director).
Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Indian Health Service and Indian tribes and tribal organizations, to consolidate certain existing programs into a new program of comprehensive behavioral health, prevention, treatment, and aftercare for Indian tribes.
Establishes the National Bipartisan Indian Health Care Commission to: (1) establish a study committee to study the extent of Indian health services needs; (2) review and analyze the study committee's report; and (3) make recommendations to Congress regarding the delivery of federal health care services to Indians.
Provides for the confidentiality of medical quality assurance records created by or for any Indian Health Program or a health program of an urban Indian organization as part of a medical quality assurance program.
Reauthorizes the Indian Health Care Improvement Act (as amended by this Act) through FY2017.
Amends the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act to direct the Secretary to establish the Native American Health and Wellness Foundation.
Amends related SSA provisions to conform with this Act.
Status of the Legislation
Latest Major Action: 10/16/2007: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 421.
Points in Favor
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Points Against
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Visitor Comments
Joyce Hardy
Federal prisoners receive more money from the federal government per capita than do American Indian & Alaska Natives!! I think this certain piece of legislation does affects us natives and the government does not care for our children and grand-children.
CC
I think this bill is headed in the right direction for Native Americans everywhere.
Gary
i agree with cc. the bill should
head in the direction for the native americans. we would benifit
from it
Bob
I think the purpose of the Bill is admirable and should be applauded for addressing issues important to Native American Indians. However, I am concerned about the financial commitment and potential tax burden this legislation would place on an already over taxed country. How can responsible legislators in Washington be considering this level of spending with a nation facing recession, a health care system that is inadequate for many Americans, and a much greater crisis facing the needs of a growing elderly population.
Carol
I totally agree with Bob. Health care for all Americans is an embarrassment. Seniors are charged more & more every year. So why with their casinos and other sources of income should the Native Americans be singled out for free health care? If their tribal councils are not sharing their monies to the tribal members shame on them.
LeeAnn
Native Americans already have the least amount per capita of any ethnic group spent on their health care. For those who don't know and don't understand why Indians in this country are supposed to receive "free" health care, it was paid for into perpetuity by the land that was ceded in the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries from the Indian tribes to the U.S. Many of our people *are* elderly--they are the poorest of the poor. It is frustrating to hear the ridiculous stereotype that we all have casinos and are raking in big bucks. There are 560 unique tribes in the U.S. and to make blanket statements about all tribes based on one or two tribes shows ignorance. Indians are taxpaying, working, voting American citizens, and we deserve to have the U.S.'s promises to our people kept. Read "And Still the Waters Run" by Angie DeBoe--you will learn something important you didn't get taught in high school civics.
Sonny
Where was the concern over today’s tax burden when American Indians were encouraged to peacefully relinquish current US territories via treaties by the US Government in exchange for health care? The federal government and federally recognized tribes signed a contract that dictated the terms for the exchange of land for health care. This contract is no different from that signed by US servicemen who exchange service in the armed forces for federal health care entitlements (Veteran’s Administration). Republican Presidents Nixon and Ford agreed with this position and declared the government must fulfill this contract. This obligation was partially fulfilled when Ford signed the Indian Health Care Improvement Act. Certainly, we should eliminate the budget for the health care of US servicemen even though they signed a similar contract for health care with the federal government in exchange for service to their country - given the current tax burden?
Joshua
It is essential that we do something to improve the health of American Indians. This bill looks like a step in the right direction. If the Vitter amendment is adopted to prohibit these funds from providing abortions, it could win broad Republican support.
RACING BUFFALO
MY FELLOW INDIANS NEED TO QUIT DRINKING AND SMOKING AND EATING THEMSELVES INTO DIABETIC DEATH---GET OFF THEIR ASSES AND TAKE WHAT THE GOVT HAS GIVEN THEM AND MOVE FORWARD. HOW LONG MUST WE WAIT FOR HANDOUTS TO HELP US OUT?? THE VIETNAMESE MADE IT IN AMERICA AND THE ASIANS, THE AMERICAN INDIANS NEED TO GET WITH THE PROGRAM ON THEIR OWN!
steve
considering how many billions we cannot account how we spent from their trust funds over the years (and certainly not on them)it's about time we returned a pittance of it to them
Marie
Every type of group could be exempted from being an American and set themselves apart from out of the system... Get a grip and become an American. I am tier of paying for American Indian’s ancestors buying or selling. I am tired of paying for the historical actions that made this a country. We are all a residual of yesterday’s decision. I work hard for my money and do not want to give it away. The American Indians have as many resources as I do. Why are Americans allowing American Indian’s to take a welfare attitude toward this country? We are all in this together. As a country we have to stay together and thrive or fall apart by division…
AmericanSon
The genocide the European immigrants perpetrated on the so called American Indian indigenous American is a crime America's european immigrants and the descendants of European immigrants refuses to face or pay for. America must also face the issue of reparations to Black America and the debt owed.
steve
marie, do some research and you'll find out how much of their money we have stolen from them. It's billions. They only want a little bit of that back in this bill.
J. Swidergal
There is TOO much rhetoric here by pro-indian and other minorty groups posting here.
Just as your pleas not to lop all native tribes into the casino genre, enter the fact that your assumption that all euro-american immigrants were or are guilty of native and black genocide or propagating slavery, or all the crap that you wish to perpetuate is a reflection of your own hatefulness.
Continue in this fashion will only result in less and less accredidation for your shameful cause.
We all have our own axe to grind,let it go accept the apologies and forget monetary renumerations.
Darlene
Me too, I'm tired of paying for, Indians, illegal immigrants and any other freeloaders. What about Americans??What about us that don't have health care??? I'm retired and I have to pay a fortune for healthcare...!I'm tired of giving, giving, and giving. It needs to stop...!!!!
Sonny
Unfortunately, a 232 year head start on the American way of life is just not acceptable Darlene and Swidergal. No one is asking for a handout - just to honor agreements already made by the federal government.
You both may need a skin transplant. Your skin is too thin.
William
It's nice that people don't know how this country started. Ignorance is bliss. I am tax paying citizen, and an Indian. My tribe does not have a casino with millions to spare. I pay for my healthcare insurance good thing my employer provides it. My auntie died because of being misdiagnosed, my mom nearly died because she was over prescribed medications. Our local IHS is considered not a place to get treatment, but a death trap --even by some doctors who work at the nearby hospital. We Indians simply have let the US govt walk over us all these years and when something good starts come our way we're considered free loaders. No wonder half the world hates America.
Ren
I think in most situations it is an okay bill, but far to often, I see very rich indian reservations, with very rich casinos. I believe that in those cases, there should be some sort of contribution from those reservations to their communities healthcare, in addition to this bill.
Ben
A couple of points. ONE: treaties were made on a nation to nation basis and promises were made to provide education and health, among many other things. So if the U.S. citizens want this government to renege on a deal/promise. Fine restore jurisdiction to the First Nations. TWO: This should not be a divisive issue among anyone. I believe we all should have health care, but it was the Nixon administration who promoted HMO's because it would turn a profit for insurance corp. THREE: Has anyone examined/read this bill? At the end is an apology resolution. Pretty words, but no teeth from a government that voted against the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. If we are being treated in this manner, how are you being treated? And what will you do about it. Don't let the government disrespect you, everyone deserves quality medical care regardless of race or income.
Kathryn
Lack of Cultural Competence
Native American patients often mistrust non-Indian physician providers and there is a shortage of Indian physicians to provide services. This leads to a deficiency of role models for Native American medical students.
Several factors are responsible for the high practitioner turnover of providers serving the Indian community. Most lack knowledge of Indian history, culture and specific health issues. you think another $42.00 per person a year is going to improve these problems?
Joey
I am native american, and I see a pretty white doctor, and I pay for it myself! But the U.S. gov't does need to follow it's treaties, if not give all the stolen land back to the rightful owners, and let us collect all past rent from the date of signed treaties....then we'll call it even.
Lynn
There are approximately 30 successful casinos. There are 562 federally recognized Tribes of which 225 are engaged in gaming.
28 states have Tribal gaming which generate 670,000 jobs and 75% are non-Indian, 25% Indian.
The Indian Gaming Regulatory Act are required to use their funds as follows:
To fund Tribal Government operations or programs;
To provide for the general welfare of the Indian tribe and its members;
To promote Tribal economic development;
To donate to charitable organizations; or
To help fund operations of local government agencies.
It would be far better to educate oneself on the facts rather than perpetuating negative stereotypes.
According to the U.S. Constitution treaties are the "law of the land" and, as such, should be honored by the federal government. If we don't honor our treaties with our indigenous people, then how can other countries trust us to honor treaties with them?
jean
Darlene, who do you think AMERICANS are?? jeez... the Native Americans wouldn't be in this situation {to need help} if they had not been treated so badly all these years. The "white people" have never kept any promises, any treaties historically... I get so annoyed with blacks crying discrimination, I want to scream at them "Look at how Native Americans have been treated. Has anyone come to YOUR HOME and said 'Nice place- I like it here. You need to move.. and we'll make you look like the bad guys." I say the U.S. govt owes a lot more to the Native Americans than will ever be given to them. I just hope the People actually are getting these funds, and the "whites" are not just talking big-- I hope the funds are really reaching the People.