H.R. 8 Enrolled

HOUSE RESOLUTION URGING CONGRESSIONAL SUPPORT
OF RED MESA HEALTH CENTER
2001 GENERAL SESSION
STATE OF UTAH
Sponsor: Max W. Young
This resolution of the House of Representatives urges the United States Congress to
appropriate $48 million in construction funds as part of the Indian Health Services budget
for fiscal year 2002 for the Red Mesa Health Center and staff quarters in Red Mesa,
Arizona.
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives of the state of Utah:
WHEREAS, since the mid-1980's the Navajo Nation and Indian Health Services have
planned the construction of the Red Mesa Health Center and staff quarters to improve access to
health care for the 10,000 people residing in southeast Utah and northeast Arizona;
WHEREAS, local land users donated 75 acres of land at Red Mesa, Arizona, for the
development of the Red Mesa Health Center and staff quarters;
WHEREAS, all of the necessary documents including legal surveys and environmental
clearances have been completed and the site has been legally withdrawn by the Navajo Nation for
the project;
WHEREAS, the United States Congress appropriated design funds in fiscal year 2000 for
the design of the Red Mesa Health Center;
WHEREAS, the Indian Health Services has hired an architectural firm and the project is
currently in design;
WHEREAS, a construction manager also has been hired to oversee the construction of the
project once it is designed and construction funds are appropriated;
WHEREAS, the Red Mesa Health Center, when completed, will provide adult and
pediatric medical services, diagnosis and laboratory services, short stay nursing beds, dental
physical therapy, and 24-hour emergency care;
WHEREAS, most of the services that would be provided by the Red Mesa Health Center
are currently unavailable in the proposed service area and the local people have to travel to

Shiprock, New Mexico, to receive these services;
WHEREAS, travel distance to Shiprock for the user population is an average of 60 miles;
WHEREAS, Indian Health Services planned the Red Mesa Health Center with 93 units of
staff quarters due to the remoteness of the site;
WHEREAS, housing availability is critical in the recruitment and retention of medical
doctors, nurses, and other health professionals on the Navajo Nation; and
WHEREAS, it is vital that the staff quarters be constructed at the same time as the health
center in order for the clinic to open with adequate staffing:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the state of
Utah urges the United States Congress to appropriate $48 million in construction funds as part of the
Indian Health Services budget for fiscal year 2002 for the Red Mesa Health Center and staff quarters
at Red Mesa, Arizona.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution be sent to the President of the
United States Senate, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, and the members
of Utah's congressional delegation.

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