Indian Healthcare

It s the first update to Indian health care in over a decade Today Senator Byron Dorgan meets with tribal leaders to share details about the Indian Health Care Improvement Act It s legislation that was part of the health care reform Dorgan says the improvemens this bill will make to medical care on the reservations is long overdue He s been fighting for the changes for 17 years Sen Dorgan This country has an obligation w repects to indian healthcare We made those obligations with treaties we have a trust responsiblity and we said that we would provide HC for native americans We ve never quite measured up The indian healcare act makes some improvements to the delivery of Indian Health Care The bill increases funding and services New programs will be created to help Native Americans with mental health issues youth suicide and diabetes prevention There is also money to recruit and keep doctors and nurses on Reservations Longterm care home health and assisted living programs will also be started