Increased funding for BIA and IHS budgets for FY 2007.
As reflected in the recent report, “Our Choice, Our Future,” which analyzed 30 years of statistics compiled by the University of Alaska’s Institute of Social and Economic Research on the social and economic conditions among Alaska Natives, although Alaska Natives have more jobs, higher incomes, and better living conditions, health care and education than at any time in the past 30 years, they still remain several times more likely than other Alaskans to be poor and out of work. The report also found that alcohol continues to fuel widespread social problems. Native students continue to do poorly on standard tests, and are dropping out in growing numbers. Rates of heart disease and diabetes are rising. Yet there persists a large deficit in funding federal programs that address these issues. The Administration’s fiscal year 2007 budget request for Indian programs falls significantly short of what is needed to address these issues. The BIA budget request is $65 million less than current levels – a 2.8% reduction in the agency’s total budget authority. The Administration’s budget request for the Indian Health Service proposes eliminating entirely the $33 million for the Urban Indian Health Program and a $20 million cut to construction of new health care facilities, despite a continuing backlog of critically needed health care facilities.
As Congress considers FY 2007 funding for Indian programs throughout the federal budget, AFN urges the Congress and all federal agencies that distribute funds for Native American programs to carefully review the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights July 2003 Report, “A Quiet Crisis: Federal Funding and Unmet Needs in Indian Country” and the recent 30-year trend analysis, “Our Choice, Our Future” Report on Alaska Natives, and to made a serious commitment across the board to provide adequate funding for health, education, housing, job training, and other critical unmet needs of Alaska Natives and Native Americans generally.
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