“This decision will ensure that Native Americans without traditional forms of identification will not be turned away for healthcare,” Congressman Renzi said.  “We will not let any Native American be denied access to healthcare on a bureaucratic technicality, and we will continue to work with Indian Health Service and others improve access to healthcare for all Native Americans.”

After the Deficit Reduction Act was passed in December 2005, Congressman Renzi became concerned that the provision requiring specific documents be used to determine citizenship would exclude Native Americans and others without official birth certificates. Last week the Department of Health and Human Services released its final decision on the rule which included document flexibility.

Anslem Roanhorse, Jr., Executive Director of the Navajo Division of Health said “ I am really grateful for Congressman Renzi’s effort in addressing our concerns with this provision in the Deficit Reduction Act.  The Navajo Nation has 17,500 people who are over 60 years old, and a majority of them do not have birth certificates.  There are also a number of people under 60 years old who also do not have birth certificates, and Congressman Renzi’s initiative is appreciated because it helps rectify this provision.”