Chellie Pingree: “As my colleague well knows, the Federal Government has a special trust responsibility and legal obligation to provide…”

“As my colleague well knows, the Federal Government has a special trust responsibility and legal obligation to provide quality healthcare to American Indians and Alaska Natives. Unfortunately, we have fallen short of providing the funding that is required to overcome the staggering health disparities and address the health crisis in Indian Country. Healthcare is provided to sovereign and independent nations, and we have no right to discriminate against or dictate the health services they choose to provide. I am disappointed that my colleague would want to prohibit funding for any healthcare service to American Indians and Alaska Natives because of his own partisan agenda. Mr. Chair, I urge my colleagues to reject this amendment, and I reserve the balance of my time.”