Bush Proposes to Slash Indian Health Care, Education, and Housing Funding

by Brad Jolly, Partner
Feb 10, 2007

Although the Bush Administration's proposed 2008 budget purports to include a modest increase in overall funding for Indian programs, it includes glaring cuts in Indian health care for Indians residing off-reservation, education programs for Indian children in public schools, and housing improvement programs.

For the second year in a row, the Administration has proposed to eliminate the $33 million Urban Indian Health Program, a system of 34 health clinics that provide low-cost health care to urban Indians. Perhaps the greatest irony is that the federal government already spends less per person on the health care of Indians than any other category, including federal prisoners.

At the same time, the Administration is proposing to eliminate the Johnson-O'Malley Program, which received $16 million this year, entirely. Johnson-O'Malley has been in existence since the 1930s to assist with the education of Indian children in public schools.

Finally, Bush proposes to eliminate the Indian Housing Improvement ("HIP") Program, which received $23.4 million this year. The HIP Program allows tribes to help members deal with emergency housing problems.