Re-Examining Native American Health Care
Earlier this month, the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs discussed a report that indicates Native Americans suffer disproportionately from poor health due to underfunding of the Indian Health Service.
According to the National Steering Committee for Reauthorization of the Indian Health Care Improvement Act (IHCIA), Native Americans have a level of health care funding that would be considered unacceptable for other American citizens.
The Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board then cited alarming statistics that show that Native Americans are 638 percent more likely to die from alcoholism, 400 percent more likely to die from tuberculosis, 291 percent more likely to die from diabetes complications, 91 percent more likely to die from suicide and 67 percent more likely to die from pneumonia and influenza.
In order to improve the quality of the healthcare that Native Americans receive, supporters are encouraging Congress to reauthorize IHCIA. The law has not been reauthorized since 1992 and ideally, any reauthorization legislation would put important decision-making powers in the hands of tribal leaders. Not just because these leaders understand the needs of their own people the best (which they do) but also because tribal nations are capable of managing their own health care systems.
According to the Aberdeen Area Tribal Chairman’s Health Board and the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, IHCIA is a good framework for a Native American health care overhaul, but safeguards need to be in place to assure that tribal sovereignty is protected. Congressmen say they understand the sovereignty issue but still believe the government should establish general eligibility rules so there is a fair distribution of funds for tribes in all parts of the country.
The sooner a compromise is achieved and the sooner IHCIA is reauthorized, the better healthcare will be for those that need, and deserve it, the most.
