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Stansbury Highlights Importance of Urban Indian Health Centers During Indigenous Peoples Hearing

October 6, 2021

Stansbury pointed out the importance of HHS consultation with Urban Indian Organizations like First Nations Community HealthSource in Albuquerque

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Representative Melanie Stansbury (N.M.-01), the newest member of the House Subcommittee for Indigenous Peoples, highlighted the critical need for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to respect Tribal sovereignty and engage in prior consultation with Urban Indian Organizations (UIOs) during the committee’s hearing. 

The committee considered five bills to protect Tribal sovereignty and self-determination for Indigenous peoples. Stansbury spoke about the Urban Indian Health Confer Act, a bill she has co-sponsored with Chairman Raúl M. Grijalva, to require HHS to establish a policy to confer with Urban Indian Organizations before major events that affect them.  

The bill would benefit UIOs, such as First Nations Community HealthSource in Albuquerque, which offers critical services such as primary care, dental, and behavioral health services to eligible Native Americans at no cost. 

VIDEO: Stansbury Participates in Hearing on Tribal Sovereignty and Self-Determination for Indigenous Peoples

“The health and well-being of our Tribal communities has been neglected for far too long, and it is our responsibility to ensure that we are meeting the needs of our communities,” Rep. Stansbury said during the hearing.

Rep. Stansbury continued to highlight the importance of the Urban Indian Health Confer Act by citing the example of the COVID-19 vaccine rollout. “H.R. 5221 will ensure that HHS keeps adequate lines of communication open with Urban Indian Organizations to ensure that health care needs of our communities can be met. The lack of a standing confer policy from the Department of Health and Human Services and its delay of the vaccine rollout for urban Indian communities is absolutely unacceptable.”

Representative Stansbury recently voted to advance the Fiscal Year 2022 budget for the Indian Health Service and Indian Health Facilities, which include increased resources to the vital health care organizations.