The Bill mentions benefits that have to be on reserve? Do the natives have to live on the reserves to get benefits? ‘Keep them on reserves.’

The bill mentions benefits and payments to tribes. Does the US government recognize cross border tribes, like Ojibway, as they do at the border with an Indian Status Cards? Will this recognition change with the new passport laws or does the US government still recognize the cross border status of Ojibway indians? The bill was stalled until the border laws were changed. The bill should recognize the traditional cross border status they have in the past by accepting an Indian Status Card as border crossing identification.

Benefits and money should not be administered by tribe, but by status; as Indians were and are encouraged to integrate into North American society. This may solve the contractual limitations based on tribe and on reserve status.

I would like to know what Sen. Tom Coburn would do to improve the bill. Just saying it is the status quo isn’t good enough. I would like to know why he has such a burr in his saddle about Indian Health Services. Anybody know?