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| Wilson Says Zia Pueblo Member will Testify in Congress about Indian Healthcare |
June 04, 2007 |
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Wilson co-sponsors Indian Health Care Improvement Act
Albuquerque, NM — Congresswoman Heather Wilson announced today that one of New Mexico’s experts on Indian health care will testify in Congress this week. Ken Lucero of the Pueblo of Zia will testify at a hearing at 11:00am EDT on Thursday morning about HR 1328, the Indian Health Care Improvement Act. Rep. Wilson is a co-sponsor of this legislation. Lucero’s testimony will be in front of the Health Subcommittee of the Energy and Commerce Committee. Rep. Wilson requested Ken Lucero as a witness because of his experience working on healthcare issues important to Indian country.
On the Hill, Lucero will officially represent New Mexico’s All Indian Pueblo Council (AIPC).
“Ken has always impressed me with his depth of knowledge and thoughtfulness about Indian healthcare,” says Wilson. “It’s important for my colleagues who do not represent Indian Country to hear from Ken and the All Indian Pueblo Council. This will be the first hearing in this committee on Indian health since November 12, 1991. It’s well past time to hear from those affected by these programs, and I look forward to hearing what Ken has to say.”
Lucero says his testimony is an important opportunity to educate Members of Congress on Indian healthcare needs.
“I would like to thank Congresswoman Wilson for her invitation to address the Energy & Commerce Committee. Her recognition of the need for the Pueblo Nations in New Mexico to articulate their needs concerning health care is greatly appreciated,” says Lucero. “Congresswoman Wilson is genuinely concerned about the challenges faced by the Albuquerque Area Service Units and specifically issues related to diabetes, dental care and youth suicide. Thank you on behalf of the Pueblo of Zia and the All Indian Pueblo Council.”
Lucero says he’ll deliver a simple message: “The Indian Health Care Improvement Act must be amended and reauthorized in order to bring the Indian Health System into the 21st Century.”
Lucero plans to challenge Congress to think of itself as a Pueblo, and he’ll then draw analogies on how healthcare problems affect Pueblos. He says that, while Indian Healthcare is not a sexy issue drawing daily headlines, it’s one that is very important to Native Americans and society as a whole.
Wilson says the Indian Health Care Improvement Act has not been reauthorized since 1992, and authorization expired in 2001. The Indian Health Service is in dire need of improvements to update services and facilities.
The bill was introduced on March 6, 2007 is supported by the Congressional Native American Caucus, along with many Pueblos and Native American groups in New Mexico. Among other things, the bill:
Establishes health education programs for Indians, including scholarships and loan forgiveness, to encourage Indians to go into the health professions and additional programs to encourage Indian health professionals to go into rural and underserved areas.
Establishes a separate program to encourage nurses, nurse midwives, and nurse practitioners to practice in the IHS.
Clarifies that IHS, Indian tribes, tribal organizations, urban Indian organizations, and facilities contracted by these are eligible for direct reimbursement under Medicaid and SCHIP for services covered by a State in its Medicaid program provided to Medicaid-eligible Indians.
Mr. Ken Lucero is a member of the Pueblo of Zia and has actively served on the Tribal Council since his appointment as a Governor’s Official in 1999. He is currently the Assistant Tribal Administrator for his Pueblo. Since his employment began seven years ago, Mr. Lucero has been named to numerous health-related boards and committees at the Local, State and National Level.
Locally, Mr. Lucero now serves as the Chairman of the All Indian Pueblo Council Health Committee. He is also the Chairman of the Indian Health Service Albuquerque Service Unit Indian Health Board. Mr. Lucero also serves on the Executive Committee for the Southwest Tribal Epidemiology Center. In the State of New Mexico, Mr. Lucero participates on the Department of Health’s American Indian Health Advisory Committee, the State-Tribal Consultation Protocol Development Workgroup, and the Indian Affairs Department Legislative Bill Analysis Workgroup. Nationally, Mr. Lucero is a member of the Direct Service Tribes Advisory Committee (DSTAC). He is also the alternate representative for the DSTAC on the Tribal Leaders Diabetes Committee.
Ken Lucero is recently married and has two stepdaughters. |
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