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Congress Urged to Pass Indian Health Care Improvement Act

"States like New Mexico depend on it to adequately serve the health needs of our American Indian citizens."

Governor Bill Richardson sent a letter to congressional leaders, including Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, urging them to pass the Indian Health Care Improvement Act.

"Passage of this vital legislation is long overdue. "Governor Bill Richardson said. "States like New Mexico depend on it to adequately serve the health needs of our American Indian citizens."

The IHCIA expired in 2000. The Senate is currently considering reauthorization and Governor Richardson is pushing the House of Representatives to do the same.

American Indians in New Mexico, and across the nation, are among the poorest population, and experience the highest rates of cancer, obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. Further, American Indians have limited access to care. Due to the under-funding of the Indian Health Service (IHS) system New Mexico's Indian population has been adversely affected.

"Thank you for your consideration and for your work to rectify this national travesty," Governor Bill Richardson said. "I urge quick action by both chambers to come to agreement as quickly as possible so that this obligation to our Indian people is addressed and restored."
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