The AP has the story:
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. OP: Unfortunately, MANY wealthy gaming tribes in California are cutting people out of their rightful healthcare via tribal termination of membership status. They are forcing MANY onto the inhumane government health care.
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.
HOTAIR has more.
3 comments:
Well I thought that the big thing was when the tribes were pushing for casinos and "self reliance"..that the profits from the Casinos was going to provide health care....do u mean that these same people that are getting $30,000 a month are getting free government health care?
No the Pechanga tribe provides healthcare for members and their families.
What they DID was they forced about 500 people OUT of tribal healthcare, via termination of their tribal rights. Elders lost access to quality coverage they deserved, so that families with criminals, child molesters and violent offenders could stay insured.
The Masiel Basquez crime family has harmed so many people.
Aws that is sad.
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