Bill Summary
This bill, titled "Indian Health Services Sanitation Facilities Construction Program Funding Act," directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to award additional funding for the Indian Health Services Sanitation Facilities Construction Program. This program aims to address the lack of infrastructure and sanitation in Native American communities, as highlighted by the COVID-19 crisis. The bill authorizes $2,670,000,000 to be appropriated each year for fiscal years 2020-2024 for the planning, design, construction, and improvement of water, sewer, and solid waste sanitation facilities in these communities. Priority for funding will be given to communities with the highest needs, as determined by a 2018 report on sanitation deficiency levels in Indian homes and communities.
Possible Impacts
1. Improved health outcomes: The additional funding allocated for the Indian Health Services Sanitation Facilities Construction Program can lead to improved health outcomes for Native communities. The lack of proper water, sewer, and solid waste sanitation facilities in these communities can contribute to the spread of diseases and illnesses, especially during the COVID-19 crisis.
2. Increased access to clean water: This legislation can potentially increase access to clean water for Native communities, as it specifically mentions funding for the planning, design, and construction of water sanitation facilities. This can have a significant impact on the daily lives of individuals in these communities, as clean water is essential for drinking, cooking, and hygiene.
3. Addressing infrastructure disparities: The bill acknowledges the lack of infrastructure and sanitation in Native communities and aims to address this issue by prioritizing the highest needs first. This can help bridge the infrastructure disparities between Native communities and other communities, providing them with equal access to essential services and improving their overall quality of life.
[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 7056 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
116th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 7056
To direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to award
additional funding through the Indian Health Services Sanitation
Facilities Construction Program, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
May 28, 2020
Mr. O'Halleran (for himself and Mr. Young) introduced the following
bill; which was referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in
addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to be
subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration
of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee
concerned
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to award
additional funding through the Indian Health Services Sanitation
Facilities Construction Program, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. FINDING.
The COVID-19 crisis has highlighted the lack of infrastructure and
sanitation available in native communities. Addressing the Indian
Health Service's Sanitation Facilities Deficiency List, which as
included in the 2018 report titled ``Annual Report to the Congress of
the United States on Sanitation Deficiency Levels for Indian Homes and
Communities'', will make investments in the necessary water
infrastructure and, in turn, improve health outcomes.
SEC. 2. INDIAN HEALTH SERVICES SANITATION FACILITIES CONSTRUCTION
PROGRAM FUNDING.
(a) Additional Funding.--For the purpose described in subsection
(b), in addition to any other funds available for such purpose, there
is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of Health and Human
Services a total of $2,670,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2020
through 2024.
(b) Purpose.--The purpose described in this subsection is the
planning, design, construction, modernization, improvement, and
renovation of water, sewer, and solid waste sanitation facilities that
are funded, in whole or part, by the Indian Health Service through, or
provided for in, a contract or compact with the Service under the
Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5301
et seq.).
(c) Priority for Funding.--When awarding funding under this
section, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the
Director of the Indian Health Service, shall address the highest needs
first as established in the 2018 report titled ``Annual Report to the
Congress of the United States on Sanitation Deficiency Levels for
Indian Homes and Communities''.
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