[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 148 (Wednesday, September 17, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1818]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                INTRODUCTION OF MANIILAQ ASSOCIATION ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. DON YOUNG

                               of alaska

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 17, 2008

  Mr. YOUNG of Alaska. Madam Speaker, I am pleased to introduce 
legislation today which will transfer property from the Department of 
Health and Human Services to the Maniilaq Association in Kotzebue, 
Alaska. This transfer would occur through the Indian Health Service, 
the current owners of the properties.
  Since 1995, Maniilaq Association, a Native non-profit entity in 
Kotzebue, Alaska has carried out a comprehensive health care delivery 
program to residents in Kotzebue, Alaska and the Northwest Arctic 
Borough. They have carried out these responsibilities under the Alaska 
Tribal Health Compact and Funding Agreement negotiated annually with 
the Indian Health Service. These agreements give Maniilaq Association 
the right to acquire title to all federal property that they have 
utilized to provide these health care services.
  Currently, the Indian Health Service owns the properties that 
Maniilaq Association uses to carry out its health care delivery 
services. While there is an administrative process in place for them to 
acquire these properties, the process is cumbersome and sometimes may 
take years to accomplish the goal of acquiring these properties. Thus, 
Maniilaq Association is asking for legislation to acquire the 
properties listed in my legislation.
  Madam Speaker, we are not setting a precedent with this legislation. 
Congress, in the past, has enacted legislation which transfers excess 
government properties to non-profits such as Maniilaq Association.
  My legislation would authorize the Secretary of the Health and Human 
Services, through the Indian Health Service, to transfer to the 
Maniilaq Association by a warranty deed to a number of parcels of land 
legally described in my legislation.
  I am pleased to introduce this legislation on behalf of Maniilaq 
Association to allow them to continue with their health care delivery 
programs and to provide better services to their patients and residents 
of the Northwest Arctic Borough.

                          ____________________