FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:  Russ Levsen, 202-226-4449

REP. HERSETH ANNOUNCES INCREASED FUNDING FOR INDIAN HEALTH SERVICE, OTHER KEY INDIAN COUNTRY PRIORITIES

June 17, 2004, Washington, DC – The House of Representatives today passed the FY 2005 Interior Appropriations bill, which contains a significant increase in funding for the Indian Health Service and other important Indian Country priorities.  The bill passed by a vote of 334-86 and authorizes funding of $3 billion for IHS, an increase of $112 million.

Rep. Stephanie Herseth (D-SD), said, “I proudly cast my vote in favor of this bill because it provides needed resources to the Indian Health Service, the backbone of Indian health care in South Dakota and across the country.  These new funds are a welcome step in the right direction towards achieving quality health care for native people.”

Herseth noted that the bill, in addition to increasing IHS funding, includes a number of other important priorities for Indian Country.  The bill also:
 

·        Provides $394 million for Indian school, hospital and clinic construction
·        Continues critical hospital and clinic construction
·        Addresses new school construction on the BIA priority list

Herseth stressed the critical nature of these funds to an important part of South Dakota:  “Tribal communities continue to face many challenges, but this news is certainly promising.  I look forward to continuing to work on behalf of South Dakotans in Indian Country to make sure their priorities are represented in Congress.”

Herseth accepted a position on the Resources Committee earlier this week, which has jurisdiction over a wide variety of Indian Country issues. 

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