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WEDNESDAY, APRIL 9, 2003

The Senate Indian Affairs Committee continues its focus on Indian health issues with a hearing on three pieces of legislation.

S.285, the Native American Alcohol and Substance Abuse Program Consolidation Act of 2003, would authorize the integration and consolidation of alcohol and substance abuse programs and services for tribes. It was introduced by Sen. Ben Nighthorse Campbell (R-Colo.) and is co-sponsored by Sens. Pete Domenici (R-N.M.) and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska).

S.558 is a reintroduction of a bill to elevate the Indian Health Service director to an assistant secretary. Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) introduced it last month. It has the bipartisan support of seven lawmakers.

S.555, the Native American Health and Wellness Foundation Act of 2003, will create the Native American Health and Wellness Foundation within the Department of Health and Human Services. The foundation will focus on promoting health and wellness issues in Indian Country. The bill is sponsored by Sens. Campbell, McCain and Daniel Inouye (D-Hawaii).

Today's hearing is scheduled to start at 10 a.m. A live video feed can be found at http://indian.senate.gov. An audio feed can be found at http://www.capitolhearings.org.

Bill Text:
S.285 - http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d108:SN00285:|
S.558 - http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d108:SN00558:|
S.555 - http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d108:SN00555:|

Relevant Links:
Indian Health Service - http://www.ihs.gov
Department of Health and Human Services - http://www.hhs.gov

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