Act Now for Indian Health
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Think back 16 years, to a time when mental health care, long-term care for elders, and hospice care for the dying were not part of our health care system. Think of the many medical advances since then that have improved the health of millions in the United States. Now go in the way-back machine and look at the state of health care in Indian country.
The health care system in Indian country has not been reauthorized or improved in 16 years. Funding has limped along year to year for old programs, while proposals for new programs are tucked away in dusty files.
Your representative has a chance to improve health care for Native Americans this year. But time is running out. The Senate has already approved legislation to upgrade health care in Indian country. So far, the House has failed to act.
Take Action
Urge your representative to cosponsor the Indian Health Care Improvement Act (H.R. 1328) and to ask for a vote in the full House. The bill has strong bipartisan support and is ready to go to the floor, but House leadership has not yet scheduled it for a vote. Your representative's support could help bring it to the floor in this session of Congress.
What's the rush?
Congress is only in business for eight more weeks this year, due to the election calendar. So the window of opportunity for the Indian Health Care Improvement Act is small. After years of work, this bill is as close as it has ever come to becoming law. If the House does not act fast, Native Americans and their allies will have to begin again with a new bill in the next Congress.
Find out more
See a fact sheet from the National Indian Health Board (PDF).
See the latest Native American legislative update, which provides more background on the bill. Sign up for this email list to stay up to date on Native American issues in Congress.
Contact your members of Congress through FCNL's web site.
Capitol Switchboard: 202-224-3121
Sen. ________
U.S. Senate
Washington, DC 20510
Rep. ________
U.S. House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515
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