Thomas Daschle: “this amendment addresses a huge, but simple problem. American Indians and Alaska Natives were guaranteed health…”

“this amendment addresses a huge, but simple problem. American Indians and Alaska Natives were guaranteed health insurance. They are not getting it. The Indian Health Service is supposed to provide full health coverage and care to every Indian in the country. In fiscal year 2002, the cost of that care is conservatively estimated at $6 billion. The IHS budget for those Personal Clinical Services is $1.8 billion. My amendment would give the Indian Health Service the $4.2 billion it needs to provide the basic, essential health coverage it is required to provide. What is happening now without that critical funding? Health care is being rationed, often with tragic results. Indians are being told they face a literal 'life or limb' test. They cannot see a doctor unless their life is threatened or they are about to lose a limb. They are told they have to wait until they get worse; then, if there is any money left, they might get treatment. Non-emergency care is routinely denied. It's hard to believe this is happening in America in 2001, but it is. And the pain is felt not just in Indian Country, but also in the surrounding areas where non-IHS facilities try to fill in some of the treatment gaps. Because IHS has no money to reimburse them, they are facing their own budget crises. The problem is real; the solution is simple. Give the Indian Health Service the funds it needs to provide 2.45 million Native Americans the health benefits they have been promised.”