PROMISES, PROMISES: (American) Indian health care needs unmet

[Old Coot]

Source: Associated Press

<snip> On some reservations, the oft-quoted refrain is "don't get sick after June," when the federal dollars run out. It's a sick joke, and a sad one, because it's sometimes true, especially on the poorest reservations where residents cannot afford health insurance. Officials say they have about half of what they need to operate, and patients know they must be dying or about to lose a limb to get serious care.

Wealthier tribes can supplement the federal health service budget with their own money. But poorer tribes, often those on the most remote reservations, far away from city hospitals, are stuck with grossly substandard care. The agency itself describes a "rationed health care system."

The sad fact is an old fact, too.

The U.S. has an obligation, based on a 1787 agreement between tribes and the government, to provide American Indians with free health care on reservations. But that promise has not been kept. About one-third more is spent per capita on health care for felons in federal prison, according to 2005 data from the health service.

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090614/ap_on_go_ot/us_health_care_s_forgotten

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'The agency itself describes a "rationed health care system."'

This sounds like what Obama is wanting to do with Medicare and Medicaid. Letting people die probably would save a significant amount of money.

[jody]

1. Best way to cut health care costs is to underfund any group that does not have a powerful, strident

lobby.

[thelordofhell]

2. The sad part is that these Indians are lucky

About 50 million people say, "Don't get sick AT ALL."

Health for profit MUST end.

[newfie11]

3. I worked on some of the poorest reservations in South Dakota

There is more to the IHS health care than listed.Yes the money can run out and sometimes it was not budgeted right. At both Rez I worked at there were people that were great at writing grants. They got many grants, some for heart studies, some for mammograms and so forth. The problem is getting patients to show up. We double booked to even get a minimum. Even when CHR's go out to the house to pick them up many didn't want to come in. Anyone that did was given food and a present. All money came from the grants and those ran out in October.

At the places I worked the Native Americans that needed special treatment that was not offered due to lack of funds were referred to non IHS hospitals. Indian Health was billed and yes they were always behind. They are always behind and this is expected by other hospitals. The problem was that some people automatically went to non IHS hospitals without being referred expecting IHS to pay. IHS refused.

In the two reservations in SD (both very poor) I am familiar with, patients were transported for doctors appointments in larger populated areas by CHR's. Sometimes this could be a 4 hour drive or more one way. A CHR drives a government vehicle to anyones home needing a ride. They transport people from their home to various doctor appointments and back. This can be one person for a 4 hour trip (one way) or a car full. They are dropped off to their respective Doctor appointments and when everyone is done they are returned to their homes. The CHR drives the government vehicle home. The CHR's can be called out to transport people at any time day or night. This is not charged to the patient.

The life expectancy is low but drug and alcohol abuse is very very high. Many are diabetic but do not eat right. There are now gangs. The few business that try to open are destroyed by vandals.

Homes are sold on 99 year lease.

I enjoyed working on the rez and have many Native American friends.

[Old Coot]

4. Interesting and informative. n/t

[Diane R]

5. My son is a Dentist for a tribe. He experiences everything that you wrote....

....patients don't show up, don't come back to get expensive crowns that are made for them at no charge. He showed me an entire cabinet full of dental hardware made for patients who never caome back to get them installed.

The vision clinic next to the dental clinic has the same problem. The tribal members get all their medical services for free, and about 40% don't show up.

He does have a big problem with clients coming in wanting narcotic prescriptions for tooth aches.

[shadowknows69]

6. Are there any promises we have kept with the Native Americans?

Well, we did pay them for Manhattan I guess.