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September 2008 |
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Remarks of U.S. Rep. Nick J. Rahall, II
Chairman, Committee on Natural Resources
Hearing on H.R. 1328
Indian Health Care Improvement Act Reauthorization
March 14, 2007
Good morning and welcome to our witnesses and all of our guests who have traveled from near and far to be with us today.
One of the first thoughts I had when we Democrats regained the majority in the House and I realized that I would be Chairman of this committee was of the Indian Health Care Improvement Act. I swore to myself then, and I have pledged aloud since, that this reauthorization will be the first bill affecting American Indians and Alaska Natives that will move out of this committee.
I have served on this committee since 1977 and have supported passage of the Indian Health Care Improvement Act four times.
I can safely say that this reauthorization cycle has been far more difficult than all the others combined. This bill has been introduced in the 106th and 107th Congresses by George Miller, and again in the 108th and 109th Congresses by Don Young.
Though this committee has reported the bill twice, it has failed to be enacted into law.
This time the bill has been introduced by Frank Pallone, who is not only a Member of the Natural Resources Committee but also is Chairman of the Subcommittee on Health of the Energy and Commerce Committee. Rep. Pallone has assured me that he will shepherd the bill though the Energy and Commerce Committee. I have also spoken with Speaker Pelosi about the importance of our passing this legislation quickly.
To be honest, I admit that when I saw Indian country had put together a top notch Steering Committee on Reauthorization and worked for years with tribal leaders, health care providers, and the Indian Health Service to formulate legislation, well - I thought that this was going to be the easiest reauthorization ever. Instead we sit here seven years after the Act expired starting over once again.
A fair share of the blame for this inaction has been the refusal of the Congressional leadership of the last few Congresses to make passage a priority. However, the lion's share of the problem has been this Administration.
Dozens upon dozens of changes have been made to this legislation since the bill was first introduced with virtually all the changes made at the behest of the Administration. Time after time, a list of so called "problems" with the language in the bill was identified by the Indian Health Service, Health and Human Services, and even Justice. This list would be worked on and agreed to but no sooner were those changes made then another list with several more items would show up.
Staff informed me that on several points the Administration has pushed to retreat from even current law. To go backwards! Can you believe it? I can't and I won't. That is a total non-starter for me.
Our First Americans are dying from alcoholism and tuberculosis more than six times more often then the rest of us. Native Americans are dying from diabetes nearly three times more often - and homicide and suicide rates are twice as high in native populations than the rest of the country. This is not the time to be talking about decreasing health care access to the almost 2 million American Indians and Native Alaskans whose very lives depend upon what we do here.
The final nail in the coffin - an analogy made intentionally - to the bill last Congress was when certain self serving staff at the Department of Justice sneaked a "white paper" only to the Senate Republican Steering Committee questioning whether or not we should abide by our responsibility to provide quality health care to American Indians and Alaska Natives. The desired result was achieved when several, anonymous, holds were placed on the bill.
I wonder how many young Indian children suffered needlessly because of that action.
Congress does not need this Administration, or any other telling us what our Constitutional and treaty based responsibilities are!
Today that responsibility lies in our having a final hearing on the reauthorization of the Indian Health Care Improvement Act in this Committee on Natural Resources, and I look forward to hearing what our witnesses have to say.
I believe my frustration is shared by many on both sides of this committee. Certainly, the Ranking Republican Member Don Young from Alaska has been fighting this fight as well. He and I may not agree on every issue and he is a worthy opponent, however, he is a powerful ally whom I am proud to stand with on native issues.
I want to welcome Dr. Grimm here from the Indian Health Service, and let me just say that I realize full well that you and your staff have not been the big problem in this reauthorization. Perhaps that is what frustrates me the most, that the problems come from those who never have to look into the eyes of a pregnant mother whose baby is in distress and tell her she needs to drive a hundred miles and maybe - just maybe - someone there can help her.
I will end by asking everyone in this room - under the painting of my former Chairman Mo Udall who was always second to none in his respect for promises made to Native Americans - let us come together now and pass this legislation so those over worked and under paid, dedicated health care providers in Indian country can get back to the work they know best.
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