So that is why, this is the question. Is that why, then, IHS had previously denied the request by both, well, there were two tribal health organizations in Alaska, at YKHC and Maniilaq, when they sought to add veterinary spay and neuter…

Years of work focused on what limited access to education, economic opportunities, health care resources, higher rates of poverty--what that means for so many of our indigenous peoples and the children as they are growing up.

So you are doing that. What is your funding source for that public education then?

But if in fact you have costs that could average, as I understand, around $20,000 per person plus lost wages plus travel costs if folks have to fly, then that is also a balancing factor if that individual is being treated through IHS…

So we can talk about the funding aspect of it, but you have also raised another question, another concern in recognizing that we don't have rabies testing that is out in these areas.

This is a commonsense piece of legislation that ensures the Federal Government lives up to its trust obligations while providing a humane, non-lethal option for animal population control.

Thank you. Mr. Chairman, I am out of time.

I am the Vice Chair of the Senate Indian Affairs committee, and we have been focused and concerned about the socio-economic conditions of American Indian, Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiian children and families.

Thank you again, Sen Murkowski for introducing this bill that will address this important issue, improve public health and the quality of life for so many tribal communities.

I think we recognize that when it comes to families and their ability to go to work, if there is not affordable childcare or if there is no childcare whatsoever, it makes it pretty darn hard.

Unfortunately, the median income of American Indian Alaska Native families is around $48,000. 26 percent of American Indian Alaska Native people make less than $500 a week.

Okay. So this bill will fix that legal authority, is that correct?

Unfortunately, the median income of American Indian Alaska Native families is around $48,000. 26 percent of American Indian Alaska Native people make less than $500 a week.

Years of work focused on what limited access to education, economic opportunities, health care resources, higher rates of poverty--what that means for so many of our indigenous peoples and the children as they are growing up.

I think we recognize that when it comes to families and their ability to go to work, if there is not affordable childcare or if there is no childcare whatsoever, it makes it pretty darn hard.

It has to be a long term strategy that we need to consider developing childcare as a career to ensure that we have--we have trained, credible, available, and hopefully affordable childcare providers for our kids.

It has to be a long term strategy that we need to consider developing childcare as a career to ensure that we have--we have trained, credible, available, and hopefully affordable childcare providers for our kids.

Thank you again, Sen Murkowski for introducing this bill that will address this important issue, improve public health and the quality of life for so many tribal communities.