Lisa Murkowski

Is that any different than we what we have done in the past because it has been a smaller block, and I thought we were in sync.

I am happy to work with you on the oral health needs of our Native people.

We have implemented in Alaska, I think, a great model with regards to our dental health therapists.

So the perpetrator goes out. It is a horrible cycle.

The statistics that we have are not only troubling, they are just unacceptable.

That does not help us in Alaska, though, because we cannot get our physicians in the VA.

Well, and you need to understand my frustration here because the ACA was passed years ago.

It has potential for, I think, significant confusion in the implementation. It can hurt American Indians, Native Alaskans in receiving the benefits to which they are entitled.

I am going to ask you for what I have asked before, which is a commitment to work with me, to work with my staff, to come up with a solution to this issue.

Just a question as to why a 3-year period. Why is the proposal not to make the program mandatory permanently?

I appreciate you putting that statement before the subcommittee here this morning.

Do you plan to send the Congress a proposal for contract support costs, and if so, when?

I do not think that this is an assumption that we can make.

I think we would all agree, those of us here within the Interior Appropriations Committee--Senator Udall and I both sit on the Indian Affairs Committee.

Thank you. Excellent point, and I think many of us were on the Approps Subcommittee yesterday when we were talking about these issues with the VA.

I would certainly remind not only you, Dr. Roubideaux and Mr. McSwain, but everyone who comes before the subcommittee, when we ask the questions, it is not just for busy work.

This is not fair to them. This is not right.

I think you know how strongly I feel about this issue.

I am happy to join you in commending all of those responsible for the good work, and to thank the subcommittee for its support in this effort.

We have not marked up an interior bill in 5 years.

I think that we can do an administrative fix.

I believe that all Federal healthcare providers should be placed on equal footing.

It is impossible for me to overstate the significance of the Indian Health Service to the people of my State.

One last question for you, and this relates to physician recruitment and retention, because, again, you can build facilities that are state-of-the-art, but if you do not have the men and women, the professionals, and their teams to open…

I want to thank you for your advocacy over the last few years to help get those staffing packages during difficult budget climates.