Representative Angie Craig Introduces Legislation to Provide an Additional $5 Billion to the Indian Health Service

Press Release

Today, U.S. Representative Angie Craig (D-MN) introduced legislation to fund the planning, design, construction, modernization and renovation of hospitals and outpatient health care facilities run or contracted with the Indian Health Service. The Indian Health Care Improvement Act would provide an additional $5 billion over the next three years to the Indian Health Service -- with the goal of addressing the COVID-19 pandemic and improving health outcomes for the country's native populations.

"The COVID-19 pandemic has shone a bright light on the health care disparities that impact Native American communities in Minnesota and across the country. But even before this public health crisis, the need to invest more resources in health infrastructure in these communities was urgent and obvious," said Representative Angie Craig. "I am proud to introduce this long-overdue bill, which will help to take the first steps in rectifying these longstanding inequities and ensuring high-quality health care access for all Americans."

Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, native health care services were in desperate need of additional support. A 2016 report found that Minnesota would require $238 million in additional funding simply to meet the state's IHS/tribal facility construction needs. And the ongoing public health crisis has only amplified the urgency for additional investments, with CDC data showing a disproportionate impact on American Indian and Alaskan Native populations.

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