Health issues change little

[Thunderwolf, MSN, RN]

Posted: April 24, 2006

RAPID CITY, S.D. - Health care in Indian country has been labeled as horrible, abysmal and an embarrassment.

The IHS is chronically underfunded; and each year as budgets are rolled out, money shifts and cuts occur in some areas. Some, as was the case this year, were cut altogether.

To get Congress to meet the needs of Indian country health care, a concerted effort will be needed - and that will require data collection, tribal leaders and health care professionals agree.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has conducted consultation sessions around the country over the past four years. Officials from Region 8, which comprises six states, met recently in Rapid City with state, federal and tribal officials sharing ideas for the future of health care.

''The IHS will never be able to fully accommodate Indian health,'' said Doug Black, director of IHS' office of tribal programs.

Tribes are no longer making unilateral efforts to improve health care: states and federal agencies are getting into the debate.

President Bush's goal is to cut the budget deficit, Black said, and that forces the IHS to make hard choices to place funds in the areas that best serve health care. The IHS was subjected to some tough Senate hearings on the budget and health care, according to Black.

''The region is dedicated to work with the tribal governments and is willing to sit down and discuss what is important to you,'' Region 8 Director Joe Nunez said.

''There is still a long way to go, and much work needs to be done but we are willing to work with you,'' he said.

A concerted effort to work with the tribes to set priorities has been a goal in past years, but a new effort by Nunez pleased tribal leaders.

Entire article:

http://www.indiancountry.com/content.cfm?id=1096412877