Congressman Doc Hastings, R-Wash., objected to including a renewal of the Indian Health Care Improvement Act (IHCIA) legislation today. This is a proposal that Congressman Martin Heinrich, D-N.M., fought to have included in the final health care bill.

“Tying reauthorization of the Indian Health Care Improvement Act to the controversial government takeover of the nation’s health care does a serious disservice to Tribes and individual Indians and Alaska Natives across the country,” Hastings wrote in a letter to Natural Resources Committee chairman Nick Rahall, D-W.Va. “Reauthorization should be permitted to move independently and not be tied to such a costly and controversial measure.”

“Real reform of the health care system will not be complete without ensuring that affordable coverage, choice and stability are provided to all Americans – including those in Indian Country,” said Heinrich in a statement to the Independent.

Rahall’s amendment would would reauthorize IHCIA until 2025.

In a statement about health care yesterday, Congressman Ben Ray Lujan, D-N.M. mentioned “tribal health” as one of the provisions in the House health care reform legislation that he approved of.