Affordable Care Act seen as boost for Indian health care system

Wednesday, February 26, 2014  

The Affordable Care Act is expected to bring benefits to the Indian health care system in southern California.

Riverside San Bernardino County Indian Health Inc expects to see a 10 percent increase in revenue thanks to the ACA. Patients will be able to bring their own coverage plans to 11 facilities throughout the region.

“What’ll end up happening is clinics will probably end up getting some increased revenue and the patient will get greater access and more consumer choice,” RSBCIHI director Jesse Montoya told The Palm Springs Desert Sun.

The Torres-Martinez Desert Cahuilla Indians are encouraging their members to sign up for ACA plans. About 20 percent lack insurance.

“A lot of them once they find out the importance of it, how it affects their health, what they could do, I think they’ll be like ‘OK, I need to sign up,'" Annette Chihuahua, an Indian Child Welfare Act delegate for the tribe, told the paper.

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Tribes take closer look at Affordable Care Act, health care reform (The Palm Springs Desert Sun 2/26)