Byron Dorgan: “One of the witnesses at that hearing on methamphetamine on reservations, who is the chairperson of an Indian tribe…”

“One of the witnesses at that hearing on methamphetamine on reservations, who is the chairperson of an Indian tribe, lives on a rural reservation with 13,000 Native Americans who live on that reservation. She told us that one-half of the babies who have been born to tribal members on that reservation--one-half of the babies--have tested positive for alcohol or drugs, including methamphetamine. Think of that. I was in a hospital one day when they showed me a young baby that was born with a .12 blood alcohol content lying in the nursery. This baby was born with a .12 blood alcohol content, and the mother was down the hall and refused to see the baby because she did not want the baby. She checked into the hospital dead drunk. The fact is, we have serious problems with methamphetamine and substance abuse and teenage suicide, and all of these issues, and we have a health care system on Indian reservations that is a rationing system. When the chairman of the tribe in my State says, ``All the Indians know: don't get sick after June because the money is not there under contract health to help you,'' that is a serious problem. All I am asking for and all Senator McCain is asking for is a little help and a little cooperation from the administration and, yes, from our colleagues to move this legislation called the Indian Health Care Improvement Act. It is the right thing for this country to do. Mr.…”