| WHO: |
U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, an independent, bipartisan agency charged with monitoring federal civil rights enforcement. |
| WHEN: | October 16 - 17, 2003 |
| WHAT: |
October 16: Tour of Gallup Indian Medical Center Forum with local
tribal leadership and health advocates October 17: Day-long briefing on Native American health care disparities |
| WHY: | The U.S. Commission on Civil Rights is committed to protecting the civil rights of all Americans. A recent report released by the Commission found that the U.S. government spends 50% less money on health care for Native Americans than for any other group, including prisoners and Medicaid recipients. The Commission is gravely concerned about chronic under-funding for education, housing, health care and infrastructure in Indian Country, and will use the trip to New Mexico as an opportunity to hear directly from Native Americans, public health experts, advocates and U.S. government representatives about disparities in the health status and outcomes for Native Americans, how these disparities are affected by unmet needs, and recommendations for eliminating existing health disparities. |
For more information about the Commission's October 16 activities and/or the October 17 briefing, please contact Danielle Lewis at 202/833-9771.
10/08/03