Bill Overview
Title: Honoring Promises to Native Nations Act
Description: This bill addresses criminal justice and public safety, health care, education, housing, and economic development for Native Americans. Among other provisions, the bill (1) provides funding for various programs and accounts, including for the Indian Health Service, the Bureau of Indian Affairs, and the Bureau of Indian Education; (2) establishes the Office of Native Nations within the Office of Management and Budget; and (3) establishes the Tribal Broadband Fund.
Sponsors: Sen. Warren, Elizabeth [D-MA]
Target Audience
Population: Native Americans and their communities
Estimated Size: 6800000
- The bill specifically targets Native Americans, who are indigenous to the United States including American Indian and Alaska Native peoples.
- Programs funded by the bill include those run by the Indian Health Service and the Bureau of Indian Affairs, impacting health, education, and governance specifically for Native American communities.
- Native American populations are primarily found in the United States, but there are Indigenous populations in Canada and other parts of the Americas, hence a small related population may be considered globally.
- There are approximately 6.79 million American Indian and Alaska Native people in the U.S. according to recent census data.
Reasoning
- The primary focus of this policy is on improving the wellbeing of Native Americans, who make up a small percentage of the overall U.S. population. However, their wellbeing scores are likely to be impacted significantly due to direct benefits from this policy in education, health, and economic development.
- The budget and scope of the policy mean that the benefits are concentrated, but estimate that it may have a relatively high impact on those directly benefiting from enhanced healthcare services, educational opportunities, internet access, and general economic development.
- Many Native American communities face challenges linked to limited access to quality healthcare, education, and economic opportunities. This policy aims to address these areas directly, potentially leading to noticeable improvements in wellbeing over the medium to long term, especially if the services are effectively implemented.
Simulated Interviews
Healthcare Worker (Navajo Nation, AZ)
Age: 25 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 2/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy could significantly improve the healthcare system on the reservation.
- Better funding means we can hire more staff and provide better services to our people.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 3 |
School Teacher (Pine Ridge, SD)
Age: 42 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 3
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 2/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Improving the schools here and providing better broadband will make a huge difference.
- Education is key to lifting our community out of poverty.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 4 | 3 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 3 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 3 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 3 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 3 |
Tribal Government Official (Anchorage, AK)
Age: 33 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The additional funds can help us create infrastructure that supports our community's growth.
- I'm hopeful that the Tribal Broadband Fund will bridge the digital divide in rural areas.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 4 |
College Student (Cherokee, NC)
Age: 19 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 1/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I appreciate the investment in education; scholarships and resources will ease my journey through college.
- Internet access in my area has been limited; broadband improvements will make studying easier.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 5 |
Non-profit Director (Seattle, WA)
Age: 50 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Urban Natives often don't see the resources that reach reservations. This policy should include us.
- I hope the health and education components improve urban Native American services.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Retired (Albuquerque, NM)
Age: 60 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Improvements in healthcare will greatly aid elders who are reliant on IHS services.
- I'm glad to see plans for economic development, but it must reach non-reservation areas too.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 4 | 3 |
Community Organizer (Billings, MT)
Age: 29 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy could support our efforts in securing housing for those most in need.
- I hope the policy addresses systemic issues in these areas.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Retired Teacher (Portland, OR)
Age: 70 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Cultural programs and education enhancements are critical for maintaining our heritage.
- I hope younger generations benefit from these investments.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 4 |
Engineer (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 38 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Being far from tribal lands, the policy might not impact me directly but I see potential for long-term benefits for my community overall.
- Better infrastructure and education can uplift entire communities.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Artist (Taos, NM)
Age: 45 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Improving the economy is vital; more tourism will help support my art business.
- Policies that respect our traditions while boosting the economy are essential.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 4 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $500000000 (Low: $400000000, High: $700000000)
Year 2: $520000000 (Low: $410000000, High: $730000000)
Year 3: $540000000 (Low: $420000000, High: $760000000)
Year 5: $580000000 (Low: $450000000, High: $800000000)
Year 10: $650000000 (Low: $500000000, High: $900000000)
Year 100: $1100000000 (Low: $900000000, High: $1300000000)
Key Considerations
- Availability and timely disbursal of funds to targeted programs are crucial for effectiveness.
- Coordination between federal agencies and tribal governments is key for successful implementation.
- Sustainability of funding post ten-year period remains uncertain but vital for long-term success.