in addition to questions about ihcia reauthorization, the bush administration has also targeted the elimination of health care for urban indians (indians who no longer live on their tribal reservations). the administration tried to eliminate the entire urban indian health program from the 2007 budget but congress restored it. now the administration has again removed the entire $33 million program from the proposed 2008 budget.
in addition to cost-saving concerns, the administration claims to be worried that serving urban indians is largely a race-based action which federal courts would disapprove of, a white house spokesman told the senate indian affairs committee on march 8. the alleged problem lies in the possibility of some people who are of indian heritage but not enrolled in federally-recognized tribes might receiving care at urban indian health service facilities. but this argument is clearly specious. in fact, the definition of an indian to be served under the ihcia is the same as it has been for the past 30 years and is similar to the definition of indian found in president bush's no child left behind act.
the u.s. supreme court long ago laid to rest the idea that government programs for the benefit--or even to the detriment--of indians is a racially-based "affirmative action" issue. in 1974, the supreme court stated in morton v. mancari that the relationship of the united states to the indian nations and their citizens is a political and treaty-based relationship and is part of the federal government's government-to-government relationship with indian tribes. thus, congressional acts regarding tribes and indians are not racial or affirmative action laws but political and diplomatic acts of the congress vis-à-vis the tribal governments and authorized by article i, section 8 of the constitution.
As an American Indian, I carry insurance and use local facilities. However, at times I have used the Indian hospitals and clinics. My daughter uses them at this time, and my Mother does also. My tribe has built their hospitals/clinics and shared the burden of staffing them with the government.
The "free" health care is not the best, and at times is scary. The services are limited, and the pharmacy is very limited in the medications it carries.
I think this is what is being proposed for everybody. All they have to do is increase the population served and we'd have universal healthcare. :wink2:
One of the proposals is NOT government run clinics and hospitals. It is to include everyone in Medicare and improve it to include dental, vision, and long term nursing care.
One of the proposals is NOT government run clinics and hospitals. It is to include everyone in Medicare and improve it to include dental, vision, and long term nursing care.
No one would be denied coverage.
I am very glad for the discussion.
Solves nothing, and it's unethical...medicare payments are pathetic and beaurocratic, and providers can opt out...and choose to accept only private insurance. I personally would choose to opt out and purchase private insurance, unless of course you would deny me that choice.
It would again result in lower wages for providers...lower wages than what unions demand, reflecting the counterproductive nature of pro-union, socialized medicine advocates.
BTW, "Urban Indian Health Program" is apparently an acceptable phrase, but if you replace "Indian" with any other ethnic or cultural group, it's racist. I've been told so and restricted...even though the term I used reflects the origins of my name.
Solves nothing, and it's unethical...medicare payments are pathetic and beaurocratic, and providers can opt out...and choose to accept only private insurance. I personally would choose to opt out and purchase private insurance, unless of course you would deny me that choice.
One definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result. Our current health insurance system meets that definition.
azhiker96, BSN, RN
1,130 Posts
I think this is what is being proposed for everybody. All they have to do is increase the population served and we'd have universal healthcare. :wink2: