Bob Kerrey: “I wish to inquire of my colleague from Washington State, Senator Gorton, chairman of the Interior Appropriations…”

“I wish to inquire of my colleague from Washington State, Senator Gorton, chairman of the Interior Appropriations Subcommittee, on the funding status of health facility construction projects within the Indian Health Service that are in the design and engineering phase. Prior to the 1998 appropriations process, the Congress had funded about two-thirds of the design and engineering work that is necessary prior to begin construction of the new Winnebago Hospital. This hospital, now over 70 years old, serves the Indian people in northeast Nebraska and northwest Iowa. The Indian Health Service has indicated that another $650,000 will be needed to complete the design phase. Does Senator Gorton share my understanding of this situation?”