A thread regarding #NativeHealth and #TribalSovereignty
The National Indian Health Board (NIHB) Acting Chairman William Smith from Valdez Native Tribe of Alaska testified before the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights as part of a virtual public briefing COVID-19 in Indian Country 1/
The National Indian Health Board (NIHB) Acting Chairman William Smith from Valdez Native Tribe of Alaska testified before the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights as part of a virtual public briefing COVID-19 in Indian Country 1/
The Impact of Federal Broken Promises on Native Americans. In his oral remarks before the Commission, Acting Chairman Smith discussed the federal government's failure to fulfill its treaty obligations to the Tribes for healthcare and public health. 2/
“This is made evident by chronic underfunding of Indian Health Service (IHS), and reluctance to expand self-determination and self-governance policies across federal agencies.” 3/
“The U.S. healthcare system spends about $9,409 per year for one American's health - but the U.S. only spends just $3,779 per year for one American Indian or Alaska Native person's health.” 4/
“According to the Government Accountability Office (GAO), from 2013 to 2017, the IHS annual spending increased by roughly 18% while spending under Medicare and Medicaid increased by 22% and 31%, respectively.“ 5/
“Acting Chairman Smith also offered the Commission recommendations to remedy the systemic barriers and give Tribes a chance to fight COVID-19, which included:
- Honor the treaties.
- Listen to Tribes and act accordingly.” 6/
- Honor the treaties.
- Listen to Tribes and act accordingly.” 6/
“- Implement the Indian Self Determination Act in every agency of the Federal Government.
- Immediately invest $1 billion in water and sanitation.
- Provide emergency funding directly to Tribes for COVID-19 intervention.” 7/
- Immediately invest $1 billion in water and sanitation.
- Provide emergency funding directly to Tribes for COVID-19 intervention.” 7/
“- Permanently reauthorize and fully fund the Special Diabetes Program for Indians.
- Make technical fixes to federal Medicaid law that would
maximize third party revenue for the Indian health system.” 8/
- Make technical fixes to federal Medicaid law that would
maximize third party revenue for the Indian health system.” 8/
“- Address mental and behavioral health needs that have been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Establish the Indian Health Service as an entitlement program that is fully funded.” 9/
- Establish the Indian Health Service as an entitlement program that is fully funded.” 9/
Per GAO: “Indian Health Service clinics don’t have enough doctors or nurses to provide quality and timely health care to American Indian and Alaska Native people. IHS data show an average vacancy rate for physicians, nurses, and other care providers of 25%.”
