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The Washington Report is an e-newsletter produced by the National Indian Health Board. Each issue contains a listing of current events on Capitol Hill, information on passed and upcoming legislation, Indian health policy analysis and action items.
Latest Major Action: On 6/4/2009 Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committees on Energy and Commerce, and Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned. HR 2708 was sponsored by Rep. Frank Pallone [NJ-6].
TRIBAL ACTION ALERT:
WASHINGTON – The Justice Department today announced the dates of the 2009 Tribal Nations Listening Conference to be led by Attorney General Eric Holder. Prior to the Listening Conference, the Department will also convene two working sessions with tribal leaders and experts in law enforcement to be led by Deputy Attorney General David W. Ogden and Associate Attorney General Tom Perrelli:
All sessions will be closed to press, however the principles will be available for media inquiries following each event.
The Listening Conference is part of an ongoing Justice Department initiative to increase engagement, coordination and action on tribal justice in Indian Country. It will allow top Department officials to confer with tribal leaders on how to address the chronic problems of public safety in Indian Country and other important issues affecting tribal communities. The working sessions will include Department component leaders and tribal experts in relevant areas to begin a dialogue on a range of important issues including, law enforcement policy and personnel; communications and consultation; grants and technical assistance; detention facilities; federal prosecution in Indian country; tribal court development; domestic violence; drug courts and substance abuse; federal litigation involving tribes; and civil rights.
In 1994, Attorney General Janet Reno convened the only other National Listening Conference, sponsored jointly with the Department of the Interior, which led to numerous initiatives, including major funding for tribal police, jails and courts.
Kimberly Teehee, Senior Policy Advisor for Native American Affairs at the White House Domestic Policy Council has posted a video regarding the myths and rumors surrounding health insurance reform and the Indian Health Service (IHS). "Our Native American community deserves the truth about health insurance reform," says Teehee.
In the video, Teehee tackles several issues including the inaccurate comparison of the health care delivery system of the IHS to health insurance, the false rumor that health insurance reform will dismantle the IHS system, and that the IHS is a bad example of government run health care.
Teehee points out that through national health insurance reform President Obama wants to strengthen and modernize the IHS system while providing all Americans new options to purchase health insurance coverage.
To view this video blog click here
and visit www.whitehouse.gov
926 Pennsylvania Ave SE
Washington, DC 20003
Phone: 202-507-4070
Fax: 202-507-4071
Media Inquiries to:
Communications Director
Phone: 202-402-8579 or 202-507-4070
Email: LWillie@NIHB.org
Congressman Rahall is introducing an Indian health amendments package to H.R. 3200 to ensure that the necessary protections are in place for the Indian health care system.
Click here for a copy of the legislative alert about what you can do to help!
Health Care Reform Support Letter template
The California Rural Health Board and the Northwest Portland Health Board support Rahall’s amendments. Please click here to see their letter of support.
Various national organizations and councils on healthcare or community coalitions have submitted a written letter of support for the Rahall amendments. For a copy of the letter please click here.
To understand more about the Rahall proposed amendments changes that protect the Indian health care system there are two documents provided. Click on the title below to view the document: