Political Quotes

“I rise today regarding the introduction of the Indian Health Care Improvement Act Amendments of 2007. This legislation will reauthorize the Indian Health Care Improvement Act and provide essential improvements to the Indian health system. These improvements are needed to raise the health status of Indian communities where the mortality and disease rates are far greater than the national averages. For example, on the Wind River Indian Reservation in Wyoming, the average age at death is 49, according to recent data from the Indian Health Service. The reauthorization has been an on-going effort since 1999 and significant progress has been made particularly in the last two Congresses. The bill being introduced today incorporates provisions that the Committee has developed in the course of the previous two Congresses. Even though there may be remaining issues on certain provisions, the introduction of this very important bill will facilitate the process of resolving those issues. I look forward to continuing work on those issues and advancing a bill that is effective in addressing the health care needs of Indian people. I encourage my colleagues to join Chairman Dorgan and me in these efforts to improve the lives of Indian people.”