CAMPBELL PROPOSES INDIAN PROBATE REFORM, HEALTH CARE BILLS
Washington - On Thursday Senator Ben Nighthorse Campbell (R-CO)
introduced bills to reform American Indian probate rules and to improve Native
health care services. Joined by Senators Inouye and Thomas, Campbell
introduced the "American Indian Probate Reform Act of 2003" to improve the
rules governing the probating of Indian estates and land holdings in order to
stop Indian land fractionation.
"In 2000, the Indian Land Consolidation Act amendments were signed into law and
with this probate reform effort, Congress can take the next step in stopping
and ultimately reversing the problem of fractionated Indian lands", said
Campbell, Chairman of the Committee on Indian Affairs.
Campbell, joined by Senators Inouye and McCain, also introduced two key Indian
health measures — the "Indian Health Care Improvement Reauthorization Act of
2003" and the "Native American Health and Wellness Foundation of 2003".
"Though we are making progress, the only group of people in the western
hemisphere with worse health than Native Americans are the people of Haiti.
That must change and I think these bills will make major inroads in Native
health in the years ahead", remarked Campbell the lone American Indian in the
Senate and one of the 44 Council Chiefs of the Northern Cheyenne Tribe of
Montana.
On Thursday Campbell also introduced legislation to ratify an agreement
between the State of Colorado and the Southern Ute Indian tribe regarding air
quality regulation.
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CONTACT: Paul Moorehead 202-224-2251
March 7, 2003