And now:Sonja Keohane <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> writes:
Anyone understand how Indians can be specifically excluded from
these tobacco company settlements? Doesn't make any sense to me...
<http://www.abqjournal.com/news/1news01-14.htm>
Thursday, January 14, 1999
Navajos To Chase Tobacco Money
Duke City Law Firm May Represent Tribe
By Leslie Linthicum
Journal Staff Writer
The Navajo Nation is poised to sue the tobacco industry in an attempt to grab
its share of settlement money on behalf of sick smokers.
<snip>
Branch and Albuquerque attorney Paul Bardacke represented New Mexico in
tobacco litigation, which resulted in November in a $1.16 billion payment
to the
state.
New Mexico's share was part of a $206 billion agreement to settle lawsuits by
39 states against four major tobacco companies.
The settlements were determined by a formula that included population and
Medicare and Medicaid expenses on smoking-related illnesses.
"Native American tribes were specifically excluded from the settlement
agreement," Branch said. Indians treated at Indian Health Service hospitals and
clinics throughout the nation were not included in the calculations, and
tribes may
sue independently, Branch said.
----end of excerpt------
