Thomas Daschle: “2 days ago I talked about the need to find a way to ensure that every American has access to health insurance and…”

“2 days ago I talked about the need to find a way to ensure that every American has access to health insurance and high-quality health care--and to counter the defeatism of some who suggest it isn't possible. As I said, the United States is the only industrialized country that has failed to achieve this goal. It is possible. It is a matter of political will, and we must show that we, as a Nation, have it. Today I want to talk a little about a group of people who are counted among the insured in this country--Native Americans. They are counted among the insured, but the Government has failed utterly to deliver even basic health care to the vast majority of them. Through treaty and statute, the Federal Government has promised health care to all Native Americans through the Indian Health Service. In fact, the Federal Government provides less than half what it would cost to provide basic clinical services to the current IHS user population. Incredibly, the Federal Government spends twice as much per capita on medical treatment for Federal prisoners than it spends on treatment for Native Americans.”