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| Wilson-McDermott Letters Urge Preservation of Urban Indian Health Program |
March 27, 2006 |
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41 Members Sign Bipartisan Letters to Subcommittee Chairman and Ranking Member
Washington, DC – Congresswoman Heather Wilson today released letters signed by 41 members of the U.S. House of Representatives urging the Chairman and Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior, Environment and Related Agencies to support the Urban Indian Health Program for next year.
The letter’s lead authors are Reps. Heather Wilson (R-NM) and Jim McDermott (D-WA). A total of 41 House members signed the letters. Identical letters were sent to Rep. Charles Taylor (R-NC), Chairman of the Subcommittee, and Rep. Norm Dicks (D-WA), Ranking Member.
"There are thousands of urban Indians who do not go back to their tribal clinics for care. This program is important to them and deserves support," Wilson said.
The Urban Indian Health program, funded at $33 million in 2006, has been proposed for elimination in fiscal year 2007 under the President’s proposed budget, as part of an increase for new community health centers. Under the current program, New Mexico receives $1.5 million for urban Indian health.
Wilson and McDermott also authored a bipartisan letter earlier this month to Congressman Jim Nussle (R-IA), Chairman of the House Budget Committee. A total of 34 House members signed that letter.
Attached is the signed letter to Chairman Taylor. The text of the letter to Ranking Member Dicks is identical and available upon request.
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