Post by Okwes on May 30, 2006 15:27:59 GMT -5
Native Health Care (politics)
The time is right to urge reauthorization of the Indian Health Care
Improvement Act (IHCIA) which will modernize health treatment and
services available to Native Americans. The measure, H.R. 5312, was
introduced in the House May 10 by Rep. Young (AK) and congressional
leaders are beginning to focus on this important legislation.
For many years Native Americans and allies have sought the right to move
beyond yesteryear health delivery in Indian Country. Please tell your
legislators that the waiting should end.
The revised IHCIA would enable Indian health care systems to catch up
with changes that have taken place in the health delivery system in the
rest of the country. These changes include home health and hospice care
services. It would also shift the emphasis of health care in Indian
Country from acute care to chronic care and prevention and would give
greater attention to such problems as suicide and methamphetamine
addiction which require comprehensive behavioral change programs.
Take Action Now:
Ask your senators and representative to cosponsor and support IHCIA
reauthorization bills S. 1057, introduced by Sens. McCain (AZ) and
Dorgan (ND), and HR. 5312, introduced by Rep. Young (AK).
Contact your members of Congress for free, click here,
capwiz.com/fconl/issues/alert/?alertid=8780566&type=CO
Background:
Modernizing and improving the health care system for American Indians
and Alaska Native communities is essential. IHCIA was last reauthorized
in 1992. Indian Health Services will continue to fall further behind
the advances in the delivery of health care if Congress does not update
the IHCIA. For example, there are promising developments in
telemedicine and tele-mental health. Reauthorization has solid tribal
and bi-partisan support in Congress, but your senators and
representative need to hear from you that reauthorization of the IHCIA
should be a priority.
A recent Government Accountability Office (GAO) report documented the
health care crisis in the Indian Health Service (IHS). Many of the IHS
facilities the GAO visited could not adequately provide mental health,
dental, inpatient, and substance abuse treatment. IHS officials said
the lack of services is hurting Indian patients, families, and
communities. Medical personnel are sent out to Indian Country through
IHCIA programs.
Reauthorization has been a coordinated, grassroots effort involving a
unified effort by hundreds of tribes and by allies such as Friends
Committee on National Legislation. Multiple hearings have been held on
IHCIA and the White House has been consulted on a regular basis. Now,
letters from the public are needed to ensure reauthorization and save
lives.
Read a press release from the National Indian Health Board:
www.nihb.org/article.php?story=20050518131605244
------------------------
Honor the Promises to Native Americans, www.fcnl.org/nativeam/
The time is right to urge reauthorization of the Indian Health Care
Improvement Act (IHCIA) which will modernize health treatment and
services available to Native Americans. The measure, H.R. 5312, was
introduced in the House May 10 by Rep. Young (AK) and congressional
leaders are beginning to focus on this important legislation.
For many years Native Americans and allies have sought the right to move
beyond yesteryear health delivery in Indian Country. Please tell your
legislators that the waiting should end.
The revised IHCIA would enable Indian health care systems to catch up
with changes that have taken place in the health delivery system in the
rest of the country. These changes include home health and hospice care
services. It would also shift the emphasis of health care in Indian
Country from acute care to chronic care and prevention and would give
greater attention to such problems as suicide and methamphetamine
addiction which require comprehensive behavioral change programs.
Take Action Now:
Ask your senators and representative to cosponsor and support IHCIA
reauthorization bills S. 1057, introduced by Sens. McCain (AZ) and
Dorgan (ND), and HR. 5312, introduced by Rep. Young (AK).
Contact your members of Congress for free, click here,
capwiz.com/fconl/issues/alert/?alertid=8780566&type=CO
Background:
Modernizing and improving the health care system for American Indians
and Alaska Native communities is essential. IHCIA was last reauthorized
in 1992. Indian Health Services will continue to fall further behind
the advances in the delivery of health care if Congress does not update
the IHCIA. For example, there are promising developments in
telemedicine and tele-mental health. Reauthorization has solid tribal
and bi-partisan support in Congress, but your senators and
representative need to hear from you that reauthorization of the IHCIA
should be a priority.
A recent Government Accountability Office (GAO) report documented the
health care crisis in the Indian Health Service (IHS). Many of the IHS
facilities the GAO visited could not adequately provide mental health,
dental, inpatient, and substance abuse treatment. IHS officials said
the lack of services is hurting Indian patients, families, and
communities. Medical personnel are sent out to Indian Country through
IHCIA programs.
Reauthorization has been a coordinated, grassroots effort involving a
unified effort by hundreds of tribes and by allies such as Friends
Committee on National Legislation. Multiple hearings have been held on
IHCIA and the White House has been consulted on a regular basis. Now,
letters from the public are needed to ensure reauthorization and save
lives.
Read a press release from the National Indian Health Board:
www.nihb.org/article.php?story=20050518131605244
------------------------
Honor the Promises to Native Americans, www.fcnl.org/nativeam/