Direct Service Tribes discuss IHS in Denver

Wednesday, June 27, 2007  

The Direct Service Tribes are holding their 3rd annual meeting in Denver, Colorado, this week.

The tribes received their health care services directly from the Indian Health Service. They told Dr. Charles Grim, the director of the agency, about substandard care and inadequate funding.

"Indian Health Service, sir, is bad. It is pathetic," said Oglala Sioux Tribe President John Yellowbird Steele, the Associated Press reported. "We talk these words, sir, but I have human people, individuals back home, who are suffering."

Grim said his agency is taking efforts to address health disparities, methamphetame use, prevention and behavioral health issues. He expressed support for the Indian Health Care Improvement Act, which expired in 2000 and has not been renewed amid concerns from the Bush administration and Republicans.

Get the Story:
Tribal health-care upgrades sought (AP 6/27)

Health Care Improvement Act:
H.R.1328 | S.1200

$rl Direct Service Tribes - http://directservicetribes.org
Indian Health Service - http://www.ihs.gov
National Indian Health Board - http://www.nihb.org

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DOJ's Indian white paper a political whodunit (3/14)
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Some urban Indians denied care at request of IHS (3/8)
Indian Health Care Act introduced in House (3/7)
Hearings on Indian Health Care Improvement Act (3/5)
Democrats promise action at USET conference (2/14)
Harjo: GOP calls Indian health care 'race-based' (2/12)
Tribes forced to ration funds for health services (2/2)
Interview: Inadequate health care in Indian Country (01/16)
Joint hearing on Indian health care act postponed (11/14)
Final push for health care bill in 109th Congress (11/13)
White House hit over delays in health care and Cobell (10/05)
Still no Indian Health Care Improvement Act (09/22)
New Standard: U.S. failing to deliver health care (7/18)
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