Update: 2011 federal budget for American Indians

Health Care for American Indians and Alaska Natives

The Budget includes $4.4 billion for the Indian Health Service (IHS) to expand investments initiated in 2010. Increases for IHS will strengthen existing Federal, tribal, and urban programs that serve 1.9 million AI/ANs at approximately 600 facilities nationwide and will expand access to Contract Health Services to cover health care services provided outside of the Indian health system when services are not available at IHS-funded facilities. The Budget will also fund staff and operating costs at new and expanded facilities to increase access to health care and enhance the Indian health system. The efforts supported in the Budget to expand health services in Indian communities also include an analysis of how IHS can improve distribution of resources throughout the Indian health system.

Provide Funds for Cobell Settlement

Under the terms of the settlement, which is pending Congressional action and the approval of the Court, approximately $1.4 billion would be distributed to the class members to settle trust management and accounting issues. Each class member will receive $1,000 for their historical accounting claims and may receive additional funds related to trust management claims under a formula set forth in the settlement agreement. The settlement also provides for a $2 billion Trust Land Consolidation Fund for the buy-back and consolidation of fractionated land interests over a 10-year period. In addition to purchasing land interests and other trust reform initiatives, the Fund will also contribute up to $60 million for a scholarship fund for the benefit of educating American Indians and Alaska Natives.

Empower Tribal Nations

The Administration supports tribal self-determination and will assist tribal governments in enhancing their management capacity. The Budget provides increased funding to better compensate Tribes for the work they perform in managing Federal programs under self-determination contracts and self-governance compacts. Additionally, the Budget includes proposals to foster better coordination between the Departments of the Interior and Justice on Indian law enforcement issues. Expand access to college and boost Native American college completion. The President’s budget provides $31.7 million in funding for Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities in the Department of Education, a 5 percent increase from 2010. It also includes $3.8 million to strengthen Native American- Serving Non-Tribal Institutions. In addition, the Budget includes $127 million for Post Secondary education for Native Americans within the Department of the Interior. The budget expands the maximum Pell Grant award to $5,550 for the next school year and ensures that future financial aid is reliable by making the Pell program mandatory and increasing the value of the maximum award by the CPI plus one percentage point.

For more information, go to this link on the Native American 2011 budget.

Jodi Rave