I remain optimistic that this Committee will continue to work in a bi-partisan fashion to address the health care needs of our First Americans.

We have a crisis in Indian health care. We need to address it and fix it.

Reform proposals should support and strengthen our system.

This is a moral issue, an ethical issue, and a legal treaty obligation of this country.

I am dedicated, I know my Vice Chairman is as well, to turn once again to Indian health care.

We have a responsibility to ensure that the health care needs of Native Americans are met.

I don't need to tell anyone in this room that the current system is broken.

We are not discouraged. In fact, we have great hope that our long struggle will bear fruit in the 111th Congress.

I think the advice a couple of you have given us today of not reintroducing the same bill, is good advice.

I would like to thank Senator Dorgan, Senator Murkowski, and indeed the entire Senate Committee on Indian Affairs for all of their hard work on behalf of Indian health.

I am enormously pleased that he will now fulfill the role that Senator Murkowski filled in the last Congress.

Last year, through your yeoman efforts, Chairman Dorgan, and our Alaska Senator Murkowski, a reauthorization was finally debated and approved by the Senate.

Last year, through the yeoman efforts of you, Chairman Dorgan, and Senator Murkowski, a reauthorization bill was finally debated and approved by the Senate.

We need to get this done. This is life or death for some people.

We are determined to try to do something about that.

But we ought to treat each other with respect. And we will certainly make a good-faith effort to try to get answers.

I think that is an important decision to make, and I would reiterate, we have not made that decision.

I think we need to--as the military often does, lessons learned and apply that.