I think the reality is that this quality of care--and I wouldn't call it quality, I would say it's a shameful quality of care--has gone on for far too long.

I'd like your commitment that you will provide the report that this subcommittee requested on time...

Medicaid is not a substitute for full funding for IHS, but until we can address funding shortfalls in the Service, Medicaid is one of the most important stopgaps we have.

As one pueblo leader recently reminded me, community health representatives come from the communities they serve, which means that they have the necessary cultural understanding to identify and respond to their members.

we just need to make sure they don't try to head down that road.

I was pleased that we were able to fund $50 million for Tribal opioid grants through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration budget in last year's omnibus.

I know that this funding is very important for Alaska Native villages in the Chairwoman's State.

And I would just emphasize again, I mean, I've heard from many of my Tribes, and I would just add--like to add several letters from my pueblos to the record, Madam Chair.

And let me just emphasize what was said earlier. You know, last year we all requested this information when it came to these Medicaid cuts and the impact repealing the Affordable Care Act would have.

I'm very pleased that this subcommittee was able to provide the largest ever appropriation for facilities construction and maintenance programs in fiscal year 2018.

We need you to come back and talk to us and give us the specifics here.

I'm perplexed by the decision in this budget to cut funding from the Indian Health Professions Program by 12 percent.