Lisa Murkowski

We thank her for her steadfast determination in advocating for these small chronically underfunded remote clinics.

Year, after year, after year, it is the same, sad story and the frustration that Senator Tester has clearly portrayed here today followed up by Senator Daines.

The Supreme Court comes back and says, 'Yes, in fact, you do have to pay full funding for contract support costs.'

If we want to reform our healthcare delivery, reduce costs, increase satisfaction amongst patients and providers, look no further than the Nuka model.

What would happen is Contract Support Costs would be short-changed, short-funded, and years of litigation, lots of money spent on good lawyers to argue that case.

Village Built Clinics have had an important role in Alaska.

Thank you, Senator Daines.

We are not getting mad at you as an individual. There is anger. There is frustration, and rightly so, because as a government, as an agency, we are failing these people.

I would like to think that we are not going to be going down another path with the same situation where we acknowledge that there is a Federal responsibility.

Let us separate it from the funding needs. But do you think that it is reasonable that Indian Tribes and Tribal organizations should essentially be required to donate the use of their space to operate healthcare programs that are a Federal…

Unfortunately, the budget proposal does not include funds in fiscal year 2018.

I think that that would be helpful. So if you would be willing to work with us on that.

This budget request proposes an 18 percent cut to the facilities program.

We want to help you. We want to know that you have the resources that you need...

I think we all recognize that this has got to be a priority.

I am asking, I think, a very fair and legitimate question.

It is my assumption that the three that I am highlighting here--Rosebud, Pine Ridge, and Winnebago--are just the ones that make the 'Wall Street Journal'.

I am really concerned with the situation that has been clearly articulated in the fiscal year 2017 budget.

It is wholly insufficient to effectively serve communities in dire need of healthcare services.

I support where we are with contract support, and appreciating the fact that the cuts that we are seeing within the IHS budget are not as severe as they are in other areas.

I just have to say wow. After listening to that, I would think that we do not have a problem within the IHS system.

Passing the President's budget would mean less money for inpatient services, preventive healthcare programs, drug addiction treatment, mental health programs, and specialty care.

The situation is absolutely unacceptable, intolerable, and we need to have a clear and specific plan as to how to address it.

This was the first time that we had been successful in including money in the program since 2008.

My experiences have taught me that healthcare in Indian country suffers from generations of underfunding.