After 11 hearings, two administrations and countless hours of testimony, Congress has yet to reauthorize the Indian Health Care Improvement Act.

The law was passed in September 1976. It expired in 2000 but was extended for one year.

Since then, tribal and Indian health leaders have sought to reauthorize the act. But key members of Congress say the Bush administration has delayed the amendment and has objected to many of them.

Anslem Roanhorse, the executive director for the Navajo Nation Division of Health, said the amendments are needed to improve services to Indian people. He said a recent attempt to bring the bill to the Senate floor failed.

Get the Story:
Indian health bill's renewal still being diagnosed (The Gallup Independent 9/21)

Health Care Bill:
Indian Health Care Improvement Act Amendments (S.1057)

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