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FEDERALhearing transcript

Senate Hearing on Tribal Veterans Health and Indian Education Modernization

Original title: S. 2417, THE TRIBAL VETERANS HEALTH CARE ENHANCEMENT ACT, AND S. 2842, THE JOHNSON-O'MALLEY SUPPLEMENTAL INDIAN EDUCATION PROGRAM MODERNIZATION ACT

January 1, 2017

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The Frame

What this does

The hearing evaluates legislative proposals that would change how the Indian Health Service covers veteran medical co-payments and how the Bureau of Indian Education calculates student eligibility for supplemental education funding.

Who is mentioned in the record

Potentially affected actors named in the source documents. Mention is not a position.

American Indian and Alaska Native veterans

They would be eligible for coverage of medical co-payments under the proposed S. 2417.

Indian and Alaska Native students

They are the target population for the Johnson-O'Malley program, which would be subject to a new student count under S. 2842.

What changed

Last recorded activity January 1, 2017.

What's next

Next step not available in the current record.

Summary

The Senate Committee on Indian Affairs held a hearing on May 11, 2016, to discuss two proposed bills: S. 2417, which aims to cover co-payments for Native American veterans, and S. 2842, which seeks to modernize the student count for the Johnson-O'Malley Indian education program.

Key Facts

  • S. 2417 proposes allowing the Indian Health Service to cover medical co-payments for American Indian and Alaska Native veterans receiving care from the Department of Veterans Affairs.
  • S. 2417 would require the Indian Health Service and the Department of Veterans Affairs to establish a memorandum of understanding regarding payment systems.
  • S. 2842 proposes directing the Secretary of the Interior to update the official count of eligible Indian and Alaska Native students for the Johnson-O'Malley program.
  • The last official student count for the Johnson-O'Malley program was conducted in 1995.
  • Over 90 percent of American Indian and Alaska Native students attend public schools.
  • The Johnson-O'Malley program provides funding for academics, culture, dropout prevention, and language programs for eligible students.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does S. 2417 do for Native American veterans?
It would allow the Indian Health Service to pay for co-payments when these veterans receive medical care through the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Why is S. 2842 proposing a new student count?
The current student count used for the Johnson-O'Malley education program is based on data from 1995, and proponents argue an accurate count is needed to determine current program needs.

Why It Matters

The hearing evaluates legislative proposals that would change how the Indian Health Service covers veteran medical co-payments and how the Bureau of Indian Education calculates student eligibility for supplemental education funding.

News Coverage

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Sponsors

Discoveries

Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.

policy shift100% confidence

Modernization of 20-year-old data

The hearing highlights a significant gap in federal data management, noting that the Johnson-O'Malley program has relied on a student count from 1995.

Connected Entities

personCarla MannPresident of the National Johnson-O'Malley AssociationMap →
personJohn BarrassoChairman of the Committee on Indian AffairsMap →
organizationIndian Health ServiceFederal agency responsible for providing health services to American Indians andMap →
personJon TesterVice Chairman of the Committee on Indian AffairsMap →
organizationBureau of Indian EducationFederal agency responsible for the education of Indian and Alaska Native studentMap →

Sources

Open source document

www.govinfo.gov

Analysis Score

0–100
  • Significance65
    How much this matters to a regular citizen
  • Controversy15
    Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
  • Entertainment5
    Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
  • Buzz10
    Current news / social attention level

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