I also urge the Committee to take opportunities to improve the Indian health system during health reform.

I think it would make sense to me if I and Senator Barrasso and others members of this Committee, working with all of you, can try to evaluate what should be the new approach in this legislation.

The question of eligibility is obviously important.

The NIHB urgently requests that Congress finish work on an IHCIA bill within the next 90 days.

I would like to thank Senator Dorgan, Senator Murkowski, and indeed the entire Senate Committee on Indian Affairs for all of their hard work on behalf of Indian health.

Last year, through your yeoman efforts, Chairman Dorgan, and our Alaska Senator Murkowski, a reauthorization was finally debated and approved by the Senate.

We are all disappointed that the House did not complete the job in 2008, but we are not discouraged.

I don't think there is a population in this Country that is as affected with unemployment, poverty, lack of health care, good housing and education challenges than this population.

This is a moral issue, an ethical issue, and a legal treaty obligation of this country.

I fully understand the sovereignty issue. I think perhaps more than most, I understand that.

I'm very interested in the Essential Air Services.

It's just been an unbelievable mess in a lot of ways.