Home > News

Seattle Urban Indian Health Federal Funding Clears Hurdle
House Subcommittee Restores Funding
May 11, 2006
For Immediate Release

Rep. Jim McDermott (WA-D) announced today that a bi-partisan effort he led to reverse the President's proposed zeroing out of the Urban Indian Health Program has won a major victory in the House Appropriations Interior Subcommittee, which yesterday restored funding for the program, including Seattle.

"The Urban Indian Health Program is a good program that makes a positive difference in the lives of Native American people across the country, including Seattle," McDermott said. "This federal program deserves to continue its mission." McDermott noted that about half of the Seattle Indian Health Board's operating budget comes directly from the federal program.

"The Seattle Indian Health Board would have great difficulty surviving without this federal program, and the evidence is clear that the program makes a cost effective, not to mention life-saving difference, for thousands of my Seattle constituents."

McDermott said over 40 Members of the House, Democrat and Republican, signed a letter calling for the restoration of funding.

"We first got Members' attention one on one, and then we got their names on letters praising the Urban Indian Health Program and calling for it to be funded," McDermott said.

A letter signed by 41 Members was delivered to the Interior Subcommittee over a month ago, while a separate effort was made and directed at the Budget Committee.

McDermott praised the effort of Rep. Norm Dicks, who serves as Ranking Member on the Interior Subcommittee.

"My goal from the beginning was to arm Rep. Dicks on the Democratic side with Member support and facts that would make the case for this worthwhile program to continue. We succeeded, but it is not over yet. This is a great example of the delegation tag-teaming to get something done for the good of Washington State."

McDermott said that House floor action is next, and efforts will continue to fight for the Urban Indian Health Program as legislation moves through the House and Senate.

"While it is not over yet, we have scored a major victory and we should all be proud," McDermott said.

-30-