NEWS RELEASE

Committee on Energy and Commerce
Rep. John D. Dingell, Chairman

Subcommittee Approves Legislation to Improve Health Care for American Indians and Alaskan Natives

Washington, D.C. - The Subcommittee on Health today approved H.R. 1328, the “Indian Health Care Improvement Act Amendments of 2007,” which is aimed at strengthening national Indian health policy and improving the overall health status of American Indians and Alaskan Natives. The bill was forwarded to the full committee by voice vote.

“Reauthorizing the Indian Health Care Improvement Act ensures that Indian Health Services has the resources to respond to the complex needs of American Indian and Alaskan Native communities,” said Rep. John D. Dingell (D-MI), Chairman of the Committee on Energy and Commerce. “I applaud my colleagues for moving this critical piece of legislation forward.”

H.R. 1328 amends the Indian Health Care Improvement Act and would raise the health status of American Indians and Alaskan Natives by allowing them, to the greatest extent possible, to set their own health care priorities and establish goals to reflect their unmet needs.

"Our nation has a legal and moral obligation to provide Native Americans with quality health care services," Pallone said. "For far too many years, there has been a growing divide between the health care services afforded Native American communities and other segments of the population. By passing this legislation today we have taken an important step toward reversing that disturbing trend."

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