Document Actions
Community Groups Applaud Inclusion of Native Communities in Health Care Reform Legislation
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Statement by the Health Rights Organizing Project
Tuesday, Oct 27, 2009Contact: Germonique R. Ulmer; gulmer@communitychange.org; 202-339-9331
Washington - The reauthorization of the Indian Health Care Improvement Act through the year 2025 has been included in House health care reform bill allowing investments in health care services in Indian Country. The Health Rights Organizing Project (HROP), a national coalition of community organizations across the country working to achieve quality health care for all, released the following statements:
"This is great news. Indian people need to be included in health care reform, yet have our separate health care system kept intact. Passing IHCIA will improve the lives and health of Indian people in both rural and urban communities and provide critical access to medical services,” said Michaelynn Hawk of Indian People’s Action and the Health Rights Organizing Project (HROP). “We have been waiting a long time for IHCIA to be reintroduced and passed. Indian people need this. My children and grandchildren need this."
“We congratulate Rep. Martin Heinrich and the House leadership for taking Indian health care seriously and making sure Native communities are not overlooked in the overhaul of our health care system. Native community medical facilities often serve the broader rural population, so this action makes practical sense and recognizes that we are stronger together as a nation when the well being of all of our communities is considered,” said Ozawa Bineshi Albert, of the Center for Community Change and HROP.
On September 21st, a delegation of grassroots Native leaders traveled to Washington, D.C. to meet with key policymakers and describe the hardships Indian people face when seeking health care. They shared copies of the Northwest Federation of Community Organizations' report "An American Debt Unpaid" and stressed the importance of addressing Native health issues as the country advances toward health care reform.
###
The Health Rights Organizing Project (HROP) is a national coalition of community organizations across the country working to achieve quality health care for all. HROP is co-convened by the Northwest Federation of Community Organizations (NWFCO) and the Center for Community Change.
Files available for download:
