Andrea Joy Campbell: “first let me thank Senator Daschle for his concern about the health of American Indians. For many of us, it is not…”

“first let me thank Senator Daschle for his concern about the health of American Indians. For many of us, it is not really a front burner issue on our agendas as we face the war and so many other things, but to a lot of people whose health problems are between 5 and 10 times the national average, it is very important. So I thank Senator Daschle for doing that. Unfortunately, the amount seemed to exceed what we are able to support. The amount under this amendment increases IHS by 10 percent, or $292 million, bringing the total funding for the Indian Health Service to $3.208 million for facilities and services. In addition, it includes a sense of the Senate that Congress recognizes the need for prevention and research for a major disease in the Native American community, which is diabetes. As the Chair might know, some tribes suffer a 50-percent rate of diabetes among their members. Since 1997, Congress has increased Native American diabetes research and treatment.”