[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 217 (Sunday, December 20, 2020)]
[Senate]
[Page S7873]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                               H.R. 6535

  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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