Babaamaajimowinan (Telling of news in different places)

Native American health care to be gutted as tribal elites support private markets

Amid the continuing health care debate in Washington, Native Americans throughout the country are bracing for major cuts to their insurance coverage. Under the Republican health care legislation just voted down in the US Senate, nearly 6 percent of the Native population, or 300,000 individuals, would lose access to health care coverage. In addition, government health agencies that serve Native Americans and Alaska Natives face ongoing budget cuts of up to $300 million.

Prior to the Affordable Care Act (ACA), all tribal members were eligible to receive free health care through the Indian Health Services (IHS), the US government agency operated by tribal and federal leaders, financed through the Indian Health Care Improvement Act of 1976. However, the IHS has been severely underfunded throughout its entire existence, resulting in care that is insufficient at best and appalling at worst.

https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2017/08/04/nati-a04.html

 

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