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.

I hope that in the new Congress, that we can move forward on the critical issues facing the Indian health care system.

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

It is critically important that reforming and improving the health care system for American Indians remains a high priority.

We are not discouraged. In fact, we have great hope that our long struggle will bear fruit in the 111th Congress.

I remain optimistic that this Committee will continue to work in a bi-partisan fashion to address the health care needs of our First Americans.

Congress has repeatedly stated that the trust responsibility to provide health care extends to American Indians regardless of where they reside.

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.

I don't need to tell anyone in this room that the current system is broken.

We desperately need the new authorities offered by the Indian Health Care Improvement legislation.

We have a responsibility to ensure that the health care needs of Native Americans are met.