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The New Mexico Legislature passed landmark legislation to form an Off-Reservation Native American Health Commission in Bernalillo County.

House Bill 236 creates a strong voice for a community that is often overlooked when shaping public policy. The bill is a historic first step in improving access to health care for tribal members living away from the reservation.

Under the leadership of SAGE Council and the New Mexico Center on Law and Poverty, the collective efforts of community members, advocates and nonprofit organizations as well as collaboration between state, county and tribal governments, all enabled the bill to pass unanimously through the House and Senate.

HB 236 will arrive on the governor's desk shortly for him to sign into law.

Here are some of the reactions to the bill's approval:

Joe Garcia, of the Ohkay Owingeh tribe, who is president of the National Congress of American Indians and chairman of the All Indian Pueblo Council, said the bill "demonstrates that unity among Indian people can transform Indian health care in New Mexico."

Laura Harris, executive director of Americans for Indian Opportunity, said she is "thrilled by the support of the Legislature for urban Indian health care, and we look forward to Gov. (Bill) Richardson signing this important legislation that affects more than 50 percent of the Native population of New Mexico."

Bernalillo County is home to nearly 50,000 American Indians representing more than 400 tribes and more than 10 percent of the total population, making it one of the largest off-reservation communities in the United States.

American Indians living in Bernalillo County are nearly twice as likely to die from diabetes than other members of the community.

Despite their large numbers and need for services, off-reservation tribal members have limited opportunities to shape the policies and programs that impact their access to health care, which has led to the closure of urgent care services at the Albuquerque Indian Health Center in 2005 and repeated attempts to eliminate the Urban Indian Health Program.

The Off-Reservation Native American Health Commission will engage in comprehensive health planning, examine existing resources to ensure they are used effectively and identify and secure alternative sources of funding to expand and strengthen the off-reservation health care delivery system.

Weahkee is executive director of the SAGE Council, and Bly is coordinator of the Native Health Care Council of New Mexico.