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*I don't know if this was posted before, but this is some more info:
ADMINISTRATION PROPOSES ELIMINATION OF URBAN INDIAN HEALTH PROGRAM AGAIN
WASHINGTON DC, February 5, 2007
In a widely anticipated move, the Administration has proposed to eliminate Urban Indian Health Program funding (Title V) in the FY 2008 budget. It is the assertion of the Administration that the medical services offered by the Urban Indian Health Program are a duplication of services already provided by Community Health Centers.
"This is an outrage," said NCUIH Executive Director Geoffrey Roth immediately after learning of the budget cut. "While the elimination comes as no shock to Indian Country, the Administration's continued disregard of the urgent health care needs of the urban Indian population and Tribes rights to self-determination is nevertheless disconcerting."
The unique and non-duplicative nature of the Urban Indian Health Program has been long recognized by national community and health partners. For instance in response to last year's elimination proposal, the National Association of Community Health Centers, Inc. indicated in strong terms that Community Health Centers have neither the means nor the capacity to take on the significant urban Indian patient load. Similarly, sending the urban population back to the Tribal Health Clinics is not a viable option since the Indian Health Service's system of care is already under-funded and stretched to the limit.
Today, as many as 70% of Americans identifying as American Indians and Alaska Natives live in urban areas. The 34 urban Indian health clinics within the Urban Indian Health Program provide culturally relevant medical services to this population. As reported by the clinics, losing Title V would result in bankruptcies and defaults on leases as well as the near-certain discontinuation of well over half of the clinics providing services to approximately 120,000 urban Indian patients annually. In sum, lack of services would increase—not decrease—the gross health care disparities for American Indians and Alaska Natives.
This is the second time that the Urban Indian Health Program has been zeroed out. The first time was in the FY 2007 budget. Last year’s proposal, however, was resoundingly rejected by Congress, which fully restored Title V.
To address the issue of zeroing out and the entire Indian Health Services budget to a wider audience, NCUIH is hosting a joint press conference with the National Indian Health Board on February 15.
NCUIH is also launching a nation-wide advocacy campaign in support of the restoration of funding for the Urban Indian Health Program in the FY 2008 budget. Petition letters can be submitted online at www.ncuih.org.
If you have any questions or if you need further information on the Title V elimination or the press conference, please contact NCUIH at 202-544-0344 or visit our website at www.ncuih.org.
ADMINISTRATION PROPOSES ELIMINATION OF URBAN INDIAN HEALTH PROGRAM AGAIN
WASHINGTON DC, February 5, 2007
In a widely anticipated move, the Administration has proposed to eliminate Urban Indian Health Program funding (Title V) in the FY 2008 budget. It is the assertion of the Administration that the medical services offered by the Urban Indian Health Program are a duplication of services already provided by Community Health Centers.
"This is an outrage," said NCUIH Executive Director Geoffrey Roth immediately after learning of the budget cut. "While the elimination comes as no shock to Indian Country, the Administration's continued disregard of the urgent health care needs of the urban Indian population and Tribes rights to self-determination is nevertheless disconcerting."
The unique and non-duplicative nature of the Urban Indian Health Program has been long recognized by national community and health partners. For instance in response to last year's elimination proposal, the National Association of Community Health Centers, Inc. indicated in strong terms that Community Health Centers have neither the means nor the capacity to take on the significant urban Indian patient load. Similarly, sending the urban population back to the Tribal Health Clinics is not a viable option since the Indian Health Service's system of care is already under-funded and stretched to the limit.
Today, as many as 70% of Americans identifying as American Indians and Alaska Natives live in urban areas. The 34 urban Indian health clinics within the Urban Indian Health Program provide culturally relevant medical services to this population. As reported by the clinics, losing Title V would result in bankruptcies and defaults on leases as well as the near-certain discontinuation of well over half of the clinics providing services to approximately 120,000 urban Indian patients annually. In sum, lack of services would increase—not decrease—the gross health care disparities for American Indians and Alaska Natives.
This is the second time that the Urban Indian Health Program has been zeroed out. The first time was in the FY 2007 budget. Last year’s proposal, however, was resoundingly rejected by Congress, which fully restored Title V.
To address the issue of zeroing out and the entire Indian Health Services budget to a wider audience, NCUIH is hosting a joint press conference with the National Indian Health Board on February 15.
NCUIH is also launching a nation-wide advocacy campaign in support of the restoration of funding for the Urban Indian Health Program in the FY 2008 budget. Petition letters can be submitted online at www.ncuih.org.
If you have any questions or if you need further information on the Title V elimination or the press conference, please contact NCUIH at 202-544-0344 or visit our website at www.ncuih.org.
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