IHS Director Signs New Health Services Charter

Pete said she also wanted to meet with some of the people from IHS headquarters in Rockville, MD.

"This is really for Direct Service Tribes, but it is helpful for everyone involved in health care," Pete said.

Roanhorse said he was "impressed" with the turnout.

"This is a forum where tribal leaders, staff, and IHS come together as one group to collectively review their accomplishments, discuss existing and emerging health care concerns and issues affecting all Indian people," Roanhorse said.

Dr. Charles Grim prepares to sign the charter.
(Photo courtesy George Joe)

Day one of the conference focused on updates of national health issues, while the second day had workshops and discussion groups on various topics such as contract health, facility construction, and Medicaid/Medicare issues. Day three ended with an update on the reauthorization of the Indian Health Care Improvement Act (P.L 94-437). Tribes have been seeking reauthorization of the Act since 1999. Last year, it appeared the Act was going to pass, but at the last minute the Bush Administration had problems with certain sections of it and so it stalled.

"At this point a '437' reauthorization bill has not been re-introduced in he 109th Congress, but we were encouraged to hear that a bill could be introduced sometime in May," Roanhorse said.

George Joe, a member of the Navajo Nation, has been in communications and journalism for over 10 years. He has been the senior public relations officer for the Navajo Nation Division of Health since August 2002. He is also a correspondent for several southwest newspapers. His web page is: http://hometown.aol.com/georgerjoe/myhomepage/index.html