Political Quotes

“I am a cosponsor of the Indian Health Care Improvement Act, which provides updated objectives and policy for addressing the health needs of American Indians. By virtue of many treaties and agreements, the Federal Government has a trust responsibility--an obligation--to provide a variety of basic needs, including healthcare. The Indian Health Care Service estimates that it provides about 60 percent of the health care that is needed in Indian Country: an amount that is less than half of what we spend on the health care needs of Federal prisoners. Tribes with the resources, try to make up the difference. In most cases, the result is an absence of health care. In my State, the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians has improved its health care and the overall health of its population over the last 30 years. But the sad fact remains that health care on the reservation is inadequate. For the 9,600 members of the tribe, there are four doctors. The hospital has 14 beds. The approximately $8 million the tribe spent last year is simply not enough to cover the needs of the Choctaw's growing population. According to Health Care Financing Review--Summer 2004, Volume 24, Number 4--the national health care expenditure average cost per person per year was calculated at $5,440. Using the $5,440 estimate, the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians Health Care System would need over $48 million dollars to cover the tribe's health care costs.”