Organizing for America | Wizipan Garriott's Blog: Improving the Indian Health Service

Improving the Indian Health Service

By Wizipan from Tucson, AZ - Sep 20th, 2007 at 1:55 pm EDT

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Health care has been on the minds of American Indian policy advocates the past few weeks as the Medicare, Medicaid and SCHIP Indian Health Care Improvement Act of 2007, passed the Senate Finance Committee on September 12. Senator Obama is an original cosponsor of the bill and had this to say:

“While the U.S. government has a responsibility to provide health care stemming from treaty obligations, it is also this country's moral imperative to address the significant health care disparities between the Native American population and the American population as a whole. We must ensure our tribal health care programs are adequately prepared to provide preventative health care as well as treatment for substance and alcohol abuse, domestic violence, and mental health issues. Native Americans also deserve the same high quality health care professionals that care for families throughout the country.” For Barack’s full statement check out http://obama.senate.gov/press/070912-obama_statement_83/.

I can’t say how glad I am to finally see some movement on this bill. Like many readers, I have been personally impacted by an underfunded and understaffed IHS system. There are screws in my knee because of a missdiagnosis. Members of my family have needlessly gone into dept because of the way contract health is run. Many have suffered pain, humiliation, and even death because there is, as I’ve heard many IHS workers say, “simply not enough resources for adequate care.” There are countless other horror stories we could all share.

The need for health care reform is no greater than in Indian country, where care is often literally based on whether you are going to lose life or limb. I know Obama is committed to providing IHS with the resources it needs and to including it in his national health care improvement and universal coverage plan.

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Native American Health Care | Report to Admin

By Lynn Oct 28th 2007 at 6:38 pm EDT

I'm glad that Senator Obama supports improving the health care of Native Americans, but it is going to take more than just providing funds to the IHS in order to address the disparity in health care.

Someone may want to inform Senator Obama that the federal government's responsibility to provide health care to Native Americans is not specifically contained in any treaty between the U.S. and Indian nations.

Sexual Abuse of Native Women as a Health Care Crisis Issue | Report to Admin

By Global Citizen Linda Nov 5th 2007 at 3:20 pm EST

I heard a few reports on National Public Radio that highlighted the high level of incidences of sexual abuse of Native Women on the reservation.

The discussion argued that these offenders, who were mainly by non-native males, took advantage of the lack of sufficient resources to enforce laws and prosecute offenders to exploit these women.

I also learned that challenges exist between federal law and local native law enforcement structures which hinder this aggressive implementation.

If the sexual abuse and exploitation is as rampart as the article claimed, doesn’t this pose a significant health care crisis for native women.

I hope that Senator Obama can come out with a specific strategy to deal with this sexual abuse and exploitation of native women – that is if he has not done so already

Re: Sexual Abuse of Native Women as a Health Care Crisis Issue | Report to Admin

By Nathan from Fort Washakie, WY Nov 19th 2007 at 3:19 pm EST

Can't remember what the percentage is of Native American women who are sexual abused but I do know that 34.1% of Native women are raped in their lifetime.

Sexual abuse and rape are prevelant not only because of the above mentioned point but also because these crimes (like other crimes) generally occur more often in destitute and poverty-stricken areas, which reservations are among the worst in.

I'm glad a candidate like Obama is finally acknowledging the rights of everyone, irregardless of race, creed, or economic standing. I'm also hopeful that he knows solutions to this problem (health care) is more than just funding but, like with any problem or issue, is multi-layed. In addition to funding there needs to be more emphasis on job growth, something that is seriously lacking in any poor community -more people who have jobs=less crime=less people hurt-, funding for more tribal cops-more cops=a more efficient workforce and less crime=less people hurt-, funding for more and better programs and services that help the elderly, children, and people who are afflicted with illnesses. Look at other countries with less severe justice systems. They don't sweep the criminals under the rug; they don't shun them from society. Criminals are a part of the society they reside in and should be treated and cared for reintroduction into society. If one's arm is broken, one doesn't cut it off but rehabilitates it-caring for the well-being of others isn't just morally right but also unifies everyone=less crime=less people hurt-.

Problems are solved not just by focusing on the direct solution but also focusing on other, related problems that indirectly affect the main issue. I trust Obama knows this and hope to see him as our new president.

Medicaid Recovery for Birth Costs | Report to Admin

By Talor Jan 28th 2008 at 2:30 pm EST

Another reform needed that will help poor families is to bar states from recovering birthing costs from father. Half of the states practice the recovery of dollars expended on poor women who have to rely on the Medicaid system for prenatal, birth and postnatal care. Because states can’t legally make the impoverished mother repay the state Medicaid program, they go after the father once paternity has been established and order him to reimburse the costs. This is NOT a federal mandate but many state governments choose this practice to earn incentive monies from the federal governments to offset their state budgets. Although there are many more details, the bottom line is that taking money from poor people this way is simply wrong! Although this practice affects all poor families it is especially unacceptable to Native American families who should be able to rely on IHS funding. But, because Medicaid and IHS are both considered ‘payors of last resort’ pregnancy and birth-related costs are paid by Medicaid and never reach the IHS system in most states. Because of this, the state turns around and tries to recoup the money from poor fathers…fathers who are already struggling to support their families. Senator Bayh (IN) introduced Senate Bill 1626, Responsible Fatherhood and Healthy Families Act of 2007, on June 14, 2007. The Bill covers many issues including barring all states from the practice of cost recovery of birthing expenses. The Bill is co-sponsored by Senators Lincoln (AR) and Obama (IL). Senator Obama has said that this Bill will be passed if he is elected President. This would be a good step in the right direction, for Native American families and all poor families in these cost-recovery states! Support Obama…yes, and support this Senate Bill 1626 by contacting your Congress members and asking they support it as well.

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