Baucus, Tester announce $572,000 in grants for Indian Health Care

Dollars Will Benefit Five Urban Indian Health Centers

(Washington, D.C.) – Montana's U.S. Senators Max Baucus and Jon Tester announced today $572,310 in federal grant funding will be headed to five local Indian Health facilities across Montana.  The centers help Native Americans living in urban communities- offering services from culturally sensitive medical care, to drug and alcohol counseling, to community support.

"Every Montanan deserves access to quality affordable health care," Baucus said. "These grants will help ensure that Indian people get the care they need, so they can continue to build their communities, create good paying jobs and live, work and raise their children under the Big Sky."

"These grants will go a long way to fulfill our trust responsibility to make Indian Country healthier, safer and more self-sufficient," said Tester, a member of the Senate Indian Affairs Committee. "They are sound investments that will help these Montanans get the health care they need, no matter where they live."

Facilities To Receive Urban Indian Health Grants:

• $148,196- Indian Health Board of Billings, Inc.
• $122,535-Missoula Indian Center
• $117,699- Indian Family Health Clinic, Great Falls
• $95,610- Helena Indian Alliance, Inc.
• $88,270- North American Indian Alliance, Butte

The funding is awarded through the Indian Health Service's Urban Indian Health Grant Project.

Earlier this month, Senator Baucus called for an investigation into the IHS to ensure funding and grants are being spent appropriately.