|
WASHINGTON— Congressmen Markwayne Mullin (R-OK) and Raul Ruiz (D-CA), along with 45 of their House colleagues, sent a letter urging Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy to include funding for Indian Health Service (IHS), Tribal Health Programs and Urban Indian Organizations (I/T/U) in the next relief package to recover from significant COVID-19 related losses in revenue. “During the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, many I/T/U facilities have stopped conducting elective procedures and limited most non-COVID-19 related care. As a result, these facilities have experienced a drastic reduction in third-party reimbursements. These reimbursements are essential to allow programs to make payroll, expand services, and provide quality care to patients. Without an emergency coronavirus relief fund to help I/T/U sites, tribal health care facilities may be in danger of closing, and the health disparities that already exist in Indian Country will become further exacerbated,” the lawmakers wrote. “In order to ensure the sustainability and operational health of I/T/U sites around the country, we urge you to include a significant coronavirus relief appropriation specifically dedicated to supporting I/T/U health care facilities. This will ensure that funding is provided in a way that more closely meets the needs of all IHS assisted facilities,” the lawmakers continued.
|
Get Local News!
