After pushing the Indian Health Service (IHS) for several months to fund Alaska Native tribal health facilities in Alaska, U.S. Sen. Mark Begich today said he is pleased to see six million dollars coming to three key clinics in Alaska.

IHS Director Dr. Yvette Roubideaux last Friday announced the IHS is giving $2 million each for Joint Venture and Staffing funding from Fiscal Year 2012 appropriations. The awardees are:

• Southcentral Foundation, Mat-Su Clinic

• Tanana Chiefs Conference, Chief Andrew Isaac Health Center

• Norton Sound Health Corporation, Norton Sound Regional Hospital

“Ensuring that the Alaska Native population has access to and receives quality health care is an important part of the health care equation,” Begich said. “I am so pleased to see this funding come forward as I know it will be managed well by these excellent organizations and will provide service to thousands of Alaskans.”

In addition to the funding, Begich noted these clinics all provide much-needed jobs to Alaskans including roughly 200 positions in Wasilla at the new Southcentral facility, 200 positions at the new Norton Sound Clinic in Nome, and another 100 positions with the expansion of the TCC clinic.

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