Congresswoman McCollum: Republican Repeal Will Eliminate Vital Health Care Services for American Indians and Alaskan Natives

Statement

Congresswoman Betty McCollum (MN-04) issued the following statement, regarding the House Republicans' legislation to set back the expanded health services to American Indians and Alaskan Natives. The reauthorization of the Indian Health Care Improvement Act (IHCIA) was included in the health care reform law passed in 2010. Today, Republicans in the House will vote to repeal the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (P.L. 111-148) along with the reauthorization of IHCIA.

The IHCIA maintains, expands, and modernizes the Indian Health Service (IHS), which provides comprehensive health services for American Indians and Alaska Natives. Since 1999, reauthorization legislation has been pending before Congress, making its enactment long overdue.

"The American Indian and Alaskan Native communities celebrated the expansion of health services when the reauthorization of the Indian Health Care Improvement Act became law last year. Tribal leaders from across the country worked tirelessly to pass this law. Today, Republicans in Congress are voting to repeal expanded health care for Native Americans, and they are abandoning the federal government's trust responsibility to provide these services to tribal members. Two million American Indians and Alaskan Natives would have vital health care services stripped by House Republicans.

"Defending patient protections for all Americans is a priority for me. I will continue to fight against all Republican efforts to repeal health care reform."

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