PRESS RELEASE: NCUIH Request of $81 Million for Urban Indian Health included in House Interior Appropriations Bill

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

Contact: Meredith Raimondi
Manager, Communications & Events
National Council of Urban Indian Health
202-544-0344
mraimondi@ncuih.org

NCUIH Request of $81 Million for Urban Indian Health included in House Interior Appropriations Bill

The draft bill includes a $30 million increase to the urban Indian health line item.

Washington, DC (May 14, 2019) — The National Council of Urban Indian Health’s request of at least $81 million for the urban Indian health line item was included in the draft fiscal year 2020 Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies funding bill released today by the House Appropriations Committee. The $37.3 billion spending package includes an approximately $30 million increase over current levels and $6.3 billion for the overall Indian Health Service budget (a $537 million increase).

Earlier this year, NCUIH President Maureen Rosette testified before the Interior-Environment Appropriations Subcommittee for this increase of the urban Indian line item to a total of at least $81 million. NCUIH also sent a letter to all Members of Congress with facilities in their districts requesting their signature on a letter in support of the increase led by Rep. Raul Grijalva. 16 Members of Congress signed the final letter, which was sent to the Interior Appropriations Committee, in support of the $81 million urban Indian health line item.

“NCUIH is pleased that the Interior Appropriations draft bill includes our request of at least $81 million for urban Indian health. The federal trust obligation to provide healthcare to American Indians and Alaska Natives must be upheld regardless of geography. This increase will be a big step by the US government toward working to better fulfill its obligations to American Indians and Alaska Natives no matter where they live,” said NCUIH Executive Director Francys Crevier.

The bill will be considered in Subcommittee tomorrow, on May 15.  You can view the Appropriations Committee press release here. The bill is located here.

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About the National Council of Urban Indian Health (https://ncuih.org)

The National Council of Urban Indian Health (NCUIH) is the only national 501(c)(3) organization devoted to the support and development of quality, accessible, and culturally-competent health services for American Indians and Alaska Natives (AI/ANs) living in urban settings. NCUIH envisions a nation where comprehensive, culturally competent personal and public health services are available and accessible to AI/ANs living in urban communities throughout the United States.  NCUIH represents 42 Urban Indian Health Programs (UIHPs) in the United States.