[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 135 (Saturday, November 20, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2092]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                               H.R. 2440

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. RICHARD W. POMBO

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, November 19, 2004

  Mr. POMBO. Mr. Speaker, I request that my extension of remarks for 
H.R. 2440, the Indian Health Care Improvement Act Amendments of 2004, 
be submitted for the Record.
  As the 108th Congress draws to a close, we can be proud of the steps 
we have taken toward helping the millions of Native Americans and 
Alaska Natives living across the country. From continuing to tackle the 
problems surrounding the Indian Trust Fund lawsuit, Cobell v. Norton, 
to passage of probate reform for Native American families, the House 
Resources Committee was able to work in a bipartisan fashion to address 
these and other important issues.
  One of the issues most fundamental to improving the lives of those in 
Indian country is the health of their people, both young and old. 
Embodied in H.R. 2440, the Indian Health Care Improvement Act 
Amendments of 2003, is the essence of truly modernizing an outdated 
system that no longer properly embraces medical advances that have 
improved health care delivery and quality over the past decades. Since 
the last time Congress addressed tribal health care on this scale, more 
than half of the tribes in the United States have exercised their 
rights under the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act 
to assume responsibility in carrying out health programs on their own 
behalf.
  Through the valuable input of the National Steering Committee and 
others throughout Indian country, the Resources Committee was able to 
report H.R. 2440 from the Committee with strong bipartisan support. 
While the House will unfortunately not have time to act on this 
legislation during this Congressional session, the importance of moving 
this issue forward remains.
  Regrettably, when H.R. 2440 was reported, the Committee report 
omitted a section that was of importance to my colleague, Congressman 
J.D. Hayworth. For that reason, I would like to note that I agree with 
the need to address the role that naturopathic medicine plays in the 
lives of Native Americans and Alaska Natives. In particular, the report 
should have noted that in reference to the Loan Repayment Program 
defined in section 110 of the bill, the definition of health 
professions as defined in Section 3 includes naturopathic medicine, as 
there is nothing in H.R. 2440, or reflected in our interactions with 
the Indian Health Service, that would exclude naturopathic medicine 
from participation in the program.

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