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NCAI President Jefferson Keel Testifies Before House Subcommittee on Health

By Adam McMullin

WASHINGTON—October 20, 2009—In testimony before the U.S. House Subcommittee on Health, newly elected National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) President Jefferson Keel asked the Committee to set a schedule and establish a strategy to ensure passage of the Indian Health Care Improvement Act (IHCIA).

“Over the last ten years, NCAI has worked side-by-side with the National Steering Committee for the reauthorization of IHCIA and the National Indian Health Board to pass the IHCIA,” said Keel. “Since the original reauthorization of the IHCIA almost two decades ago, we have worked with numerous committee staff on crafting appropriate language and worked closely with the changing Leadership in the House. We have also advocated for reauthorization with the Clinton, Bush, and now Obama Administrations. With each passing year there is a new “must pass” priority that relegates the improvement of healthcare of American Indians to the sidelines. This is no longer acceptable. NCAI stands ready, as do I, and I am sure the other members of the panel, to do what it takes to get this bill passed.”

With the nation now focused on reforming healthcare for all Americans, Keel said the issue is of critical importance to tribes and that the first Americans cannot be left behind. “We support the efforts of the Obama Administration and Congress,” Keel testified. “House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Congressman Frank Pallone (D-NJ 6th) have recognized the importance in protecting and preserving the Indian Health System (IHS) during this reform effort and NCAI would like to extend our appreciation for your commitment to Indian Country.”

Keel reinforced to the Committee that IHS is in dire need of modern equipment and facilities. The current House bill, HR 2708, is a good starting point for reforming the IHS, he stated. As with the national health reform bills, the goal of the legislation is to provide cost saving features for health care delivery by shifting the health focus within IHS to preventative health.

Keel outlined a sample of some of the reform features in HR 2708, including:

• Authorization for modern methods of health care delivery, including authority for IHS and tribes to operate hospice, long-term care and assisted living programs;
• Upgraded authorities for epidemiology centers so that they are expressly authorized to access the data they need to assist tribes and urban Indian organizations;
• Establishment of convenient care demonstration projects to provide primary health care such as urgent services, non-emergent care services, and preventive services outside the regular hours of operation of a health care facility;
• The integration of mental health, social services, domestic and child abuse, youth suicide, and substance abuse into the Indian health delivery system; and
• Improved standards for mammography and other cancer screening.

“NCAI knows what this Committee can do when it sets its mind to something,” said Keel. “We all saw how quickly the Committee came together to write and pass the Affordable Health Choices Act. We witnessed the hard work of the staff in drafting the Indian protections needed within that bill, and the dedication of the Committee in passing those key provisions. We now ask that that same enthusiasm and commitment be provided for the IHCIA.”