Authors: Geoffrey Roth

Publication Year: 2007

Journal: NCUIH

Keywords: Testimony, Geoffrey Roth, UIHP, Urban Indian Health programs, appropriations, budget elimination, CHC's, community health centers

Abstract:

Providing this testimony is particularly important at this time when following the recent announcement of the Administration's FY 2008 budgetthe Urban Indian Health Program line item now has been eliminated two years in a row. While the FY 2007 budget proposal argued that Urban Indian Health Program medical services are a duplication of services already provided by Community Health Centers (CHC), the FY 2008 budget cut states that "urban Indians can receive health care through a wide variety of Federal, State, and local providers." However, contrary to the assertions made in the President's FY 2008 budget, urban Indian health programs do not duplicate the functions of CHCs nor does Federal, State or local providers have the capacity, means or cultural understanding to take on the sizable urban Indian patient load. Rather, they serve a unique, non-duplicative and culturally specific purpose within the large urban Indian communities. The fact that there are other health services available in urban areas is already reflected in how IHS funding is distributed, with urban Indian programs receiving $32.744 million in FY 2007. This funding is a sound investment in urban Indian health - particularly when taking into consideration that these funds are leveraged on a 2-for-1 basis with private, local, state and other resources. With these monies the Urban Indian Health Organizations have successfully maintained their renowned high-quality medical and behavioral health services.

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