From the Office of Utah Congressman Jim Matheson

MATHESON NEWS
Second Congressional District

For Further Information
Alyson Heyrend: (801) 455-5593 (cell)
www.house.gov/matheson

June 7, 2006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Matheson Hails Restored Indian Walk-In Center Funds

Washington DC-Congressman Jim Matheson said he is pleased that efforts to restore funding to urban health programs serving Native Americans succeeded. He credits the executive director of the Indian Walk-In Center in Salt Lake City with helping draw attention to the program's effectiveness.

Matheson said the president's budget proposal eliminated the Urban Indian Health Program, which provides funding for 34 non-profit, Indian-controlled and operated urban health programs, including one located in Salt Lake City. Utah's American Indian population leads all other groups in the state for those who do not have health insurance coverage and 68% of that population lives off the reservation.

"I have seen first hand what this program provides Utah's Native American population. Over 4000 clients would have been without access to health education, diabetes care, mental health counseling and disease prevention programs, if the Indian Walk-In Center was forced to close," said Matheson. "These are Indian-controlled and operated programs that are uniquely qualified to provide these vital services."

Matheson praised Dena Ned, executive director of the Indian Walk-In Center, for her efforts to alert members of Congress to the program's value.  Matheson said her information aided him in writing the letter he sent to members of the House Interior Appropriations subcommittee, urging them to restore the funding.

"The Indian Walk-In Center has been serving the Salt Lake Indian Community since 1974.  The Center has moved forward during these years with the united support of the community and we will continue to do so.  Not only have we been recognized for our programs, but also as an essential part of the community fabric.  The overwhelming support we have received from the office of Congressman Matheson, other congressional representatives and Utah's Tribal leaders serves to illustrate this point," said Executive Director Dena Ned.

Matheson said he's pleased that the recently-passed Interior Appropriations bill included the nearly $33 million for UIHP.  He said he'll continue to support the funding as the bill works its way through the legislative process.

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Alyson Heyrend
Communications Director
240 East Morris Ave. #235
South Salt Lake, UT 84115
(801) 486-1236 (phone)
(801) 455-5593 (cell)
(801) 486-1417 (fax)