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

[RobJohnson]

Old Coot (371 posts)     Sun Jun-14-09 04:20 PM
Original message
PROMISES, PROMISES: (American) Indian health care needs unmet
 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_heal...


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

'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.

LINK

thelordofhell (83 posts)      Sun Jun-14-09 05:58 PM
Response to Original message
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 (930 posts)      Sun Jun-14-09 05:58 PM
Response to Original message
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. 

Diane R  (1000+ posts)     Sun Jun-14-09 06:25 PM
Response to Reply #3
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.

 

 

 

[MrsSmith]

    Are those DUmpMonkeys actually preaching personal responsibility???   


(Or does that only apply to those they refer to as "brown people?")   

[RobJohnson]

  Are those DUmpMonkeys actually preaching personal responsibility???   


(Or does that only apply to those they refer to as "brown people?")   

Good point.

It might be time for us to take a second look at that 1787 agreement between tribes and the government.

The thread was moved out of "breaking news" on DU.

[AllosaursRus]

I've been around quite a few of these supposedly "poor" res'. The average weight of the inhabitants was 300 lbs! How "poor" can they be? Most had several wrecked cars outback too! New cars! The alcohol and drug problems were 3 times as bad as the off res inhabitants.

It is truly unfortunate, as many have lost the old ways and no longer strive to carry on the proud traditions of their ancestors. The worst thing we ever did for the American Indian was turn them into welfare patients!

[Toastedturningtidelegs]

I've been around quite a few of these supposedly "poor" res'. The average weight of the inhabitants was 300 lbs! How "poor" can they be? Most had several wrecked cars outback too! New cars! The alcohol and drug problems were 3 times as bad as the off res inhabitants.

It is truly unfortunate, as many have lost the old ways and no longer strive to carry on the proud traditions of their ancestors. The worst thing we ever did for the American Indian was turn them into welfare patients!

Yep! and that's exactly what the U.S. Government did when they put the reservations onto completely useless tracts of land! Native people were once a very proud people really bothers me they have lost their way!

[Lord Undies]

I'm two generations removed from the reservation.  I don't know why we have perpetuated this segregated "Indian culture" crap anyway.  The "proud and noble" people crud, for the most part, is a romantic fairytale. 

History is what it is.  It isn't going to change.  Living in it is for suckers, losers, fools and people like those who post on democratunderground.com. 

That's all I can say about it besides "ugh".

[AllosaursRus]

I'm two generations removed from the reservation.  I don't know why we have perpetuated this segregated "Indian culture" crap anyway.  The "proud and noble" people crud, for the most part, is a romantic fairytale. 

History is what it is.  It isn't going to change.  Living in it is for suckers, losers, fools and people like those who post on democratunderground.com. 

That's all I can say about it besides "ugh".

I'm 3 gens from my nearest "native" ancestor. I think there are still "proud and noble" Native Americans around. If you're truly related I would think you know this. It would be nice if the whole world went back to the self sufficiency way of life. Unfortunately the gubment has made us all dependents.

There's something to be said for the way they managed for centuries to do without the "white" man. Now, most are just mere shadows of their former selfs.

[Lord Undies]

I'm 3 gens from my nearest "native" ancestor. I think there are still "proud and noble" Native Americans around. If you're truly related I would think you know this. It would be nice if the whole world went back to the self sufficiency way of life. Unfortunately the gubment has made us all dependents.

There's something to be said for the way they managed for centuries to do without the "white" man. Now, most are just mere shadows of their former selfs.

My great-grandmother was a tribal Sitting Princess who I never saw out of traditional dress.  I'm more than familar with the culture.  I don't wish to deny Indians anything.  I want them to join the 2009 party.

[Wineslob]

I hate to sat it like this, but the tribes here in Ca "got with the program". They opened up Casinos (hey, ya gotta do what ya gotta do). They use the profits to help their own people, and show their cultural pride within the Casino. They display pictures, tribal clothing, and historical what-not plus they keep the "old ways" alive with demonstrations of dance and music.

They refuse to suck from the Fed teat.

[Lord Undies]

I hate to sat it like this, but the tribes here in Ca "got with the program". They opened up Casinos (hey, ya gotta do what ya gotta do). They use the profits to help their own people, and show their cultural pride within the Casino. They display pictures, tribal clothing, and historical what-not plus they keep the "old ways" alive with demonstrations of dance and music.

They refuse to suck from the Fed teat.

That's what I enjoy.  They are living for progress while keeping what was beautiful alive through education by entertainment.

[Wineslob]

That's what I enjoy.  They are living for progress while keeping what was beautiful alive through education by entertainment.

   Exactly, I'd rather see them succeed than see the decay of the southwest. I have alot of respect for the tribes around here.   

[AllosaursRus]

After what the Navajos and others did for us in WWII we owe them big time. Best way to repay them is spending money in their casinos, not by feeling sorry for them. Best thing that ever happened to them since cigarettes. Hell, I don't even mind losing in the one I go to here in N.Idaho. They really know how to treat ya! Much more fun than Reno or Vegas. Ya don't have to wait an hour between drinks while playin' BlackJack.

[Lord Undies]

This is were we stopped last Monday coming home from Norman.

http://500nations.com/casinos/okTreasureValley.asp

We had a lot of fun and won some money too.  The staff was very friendly.  It's part of the Chickasaw Nation, who were my Dad's people's people.  I didn't ask for any special favors though. 

 

[RobJohnson]

I've been around quite a few of these supposedly "poor" res'. The average weight of the inhabitants was 300 lbs! How "poor" can they be? Most had several wrecked cars outback too! New cars! The alcohol and drug problems were 3 times as bad as the off res inhabitants.

It is truly unfortunate, as many have lost the old ways and no longer strive to carry on the proud traditions of their ancestors. The worst thing we ever did for the American Indian was turn them into welfare patients!

Too many hits off the peace pipe? 

[RobJohnson]

I hate to sat it like this, but the tribes here in Ca "got with the program". They opened up Casinos (hey, ya gotta do what ya gotta do). They use the profits to help their own people, and show their cultural pride within the Casino. They display pictures, tribal clothing, and historical what-not plus they keep the "old ways" alive with demonstrations of dance and music.

They refuse to suck from the Fed teat.

The problem is they are allowed to open casinos where others can't.

[Chris_]

What we are actually seeing with Indian health care is a look at everyone's health care under Obamanation......

[Vagabond]

I'm two generations removed from the reservation.  I don't know why we have perpetuated this segregated "Indian culture" crap anyway.  The "proud and noble" people crud, for the most part, is a romantic fairytale. 

History is what it is.  It isn't going to change.  Living in it is for suckers, losers, fools and people like those who post on democratunderground.com. 

That's all I can say about it besides "ugh".

My Dad's Mom's parents (my great grandparents) were kicked out of the reservation for acting white.  Apparently even then having some gumption caused problems among the other indians.  It was probably the best favor my great great grandfather ever did for his future progeny.

[Wineslob]

The problem is they are allowed to open casinos where others can't.

Interestingly enough, I don't have a problem with that. Donno why, but I don't.

[RobJohnson]

Interestingly enough, I don't have a problem with that. Donno why, but I don't.

I lived in a couple states where the Indians had a little unfair competition going on. Maybe it's just my support of the free market that gets in the way.

[JohnnyReb]

My Dad's Mom's parents (my great grandparents) were kicked out of the reservation for acting white.  Apparently even then having some gumption caused problems among the other indians.  It was probably the best favor my great great grandfather ever did for his future progeny.

Some of my wife's people got kicked off the reservation for acting like a couple of DUmp monkeys..... Filing several workmans comp. claims for no real injury, pulling a frying pan off a shelf onto his head so he could sue WAL-MART, both him and her are now on SS Diability, foodstamps,....etc. etc....

[dutch508]

Some of my wife's people got kicked off the reservation for acting like a couple of DUmp monkeys..... Filing several workmans comp. claims for no real injury, pulling a frying pan off a shelf onto his head so he could sue WAL-MART, both him and her are now on SS Diability, foodstamps,....etc. etc....

Ha!

My dad's family got kicked out of Scotland and Ireland.

My mom's family got kicked out of Judea by the ******-******** Romans.