Retain Urban Indian Health Program

Dear Friend:

I recently joined a bipartisan group of United States Senators including California Senator Dianne Feinstein in writing to the Chairman and Ranking Member of the Senate's Subcommittee on Interior Appropriations urging that funding for Urban Indian Health Programs be continued. The President's budget eliminates funding for 34 urban Indian nonprofit organizations providing health care services at 41 sites in the nation, serving 430,000 eligible Indian users.

In 1976, Congress passed the Indian Health Care Improvement Act to address poor health conditions among Indian tribal members. Title V of this law specifically targeted funding for the development of programs in urban areas to serve the large percentage of Indians living in cities. The 2000 census showed that about 66 percent of all Indians and Alaska Natives live in urban areas.

These Urban Indian Health Programs provide vital care for underserved Indian populations. Research shows Indians to be more likely to suffer from diabetes, tuberculosis, and pneumonia than the general population. The clinics provide culturally appropriate care and important services including health assessments, disease prevention, immunization services, drug and alcohol counseling, and ambulatory health care.

The Indian Health Service estimates that average funding in previous budget years has been only 22 percent of the projected need for this program. Moreover, based on population figures, 12 additional cities should have Urban Indian Health Programs. Despite this, the Bush Administration contends that these services are not needed and that Indians in need can simply visit already overburdened urban hospitals and health care programs.

Ending the Urban Indian Health Program is short-sighted and, in the long term, will not produce federal budget savings. I am pleased to stand with Senator Feinstein in supporting this important program.

Sincerely,
Barbara Boxer
United States Senator

http://www.boxer.senate.gov