OFFICIALS LEGISLATION INTEREST GROUPS PUBLIC STATEMENTS COMMITTEES VETOES

H.R. 6535

Floor Speech

Date: Dec. 20, 2020
Location: Washington, DC
Issues: Government Operations Health and Health Care

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Ms. MURKOWSKI. Mr. President, I rise today to address equitable treatment in Native healthcare. When the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs considered S. 3650, the companion bill to H.R. 6535, I noted the strong history of Alaska Natives and Native Hawaiians working together to ensure that there is parity in Federal policy for all Native peoples. Enactment of H.R. 6535 will address the lack of parity in Federal urban Indian health programs, and by sending this bill to the President, the Senate is making a necessary correction that will support delivery of healthcare to Native communities across the country. But, as we pass this measure, we must not forget that a lack of parity continues to persist for the Native Hawaiian healthcare Systems funded through the Native Hawaiian Health Care Improvement Act. I am therefore committed to standing with Senator Schatz to ensure that Native Hawaiian healthcare systems are not left behind and will work with him to address the inequitable access to Federal Tort Claims Act coverage among Native health systems in the next Congress. Together, we will continue to fight for the trust and treaty rights and access to benefits for all of our country's Native peoples.

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