Urban Indians in New Mexico feel left out on health

Thursday, March 8, 2007  

Urban Indians in New Mexico want a bigger role in the way health care is delivered to tribal members in the state.

The State Legislature is considering HB 784, the Native American Health Care Improvement Act, a bill that would set up a $10 million health care fund. Urban Indians would have two seats on the Native American Health Council, which decides how to use the money.

Despite their inclusion on the council, urban Indians fear their views will be overshadowed by tribal governments, who will have eight seats. They note that 50,000 tribal members live in urban areas, compared to 40,000 on reservations.

"If we have the majority and we only have two seats, it's not fair and equitable," John Lewis of Albuquerque Diné told The Albuquerque Journal.

Originally, the bill didn't provide any representation for urban Indians.

Get the Story:
Urban Indians Feel Health Plan Pinch (The Albuquerque Journal 3/8)

Relevant Links:
Indian Health Service - http://www.ihs.gov

Related Stories:
New Mexico trying to make up for IHS shortfalls (2/22)
CDC: Indians suffer highest rate of heart disease (2/20)
IHS to force urban Indians to travel for prescriptions (2/16)
Democrats promise action at USET conference (2/14)
Harjo: GOP calls Indian health care 'race-based' (2/12)
Bush cuts funding for urban Indian clinics again (2/8)
Tribes forced to ration funds for health services (2/2)
Study: Health disparities among urban Indians (08/24)
Senate panel restores urban Indian health program (06/28)
House restores funds to critical Indian programs (05/22)
Urban Indian clinics threatened by Bush budget cut (5/2)
Urban Indian health centers fight Bush budget cut (4/28)
Urban Indians file class action health care lawsuit (4/11)
Law school to file class action Indian health care suit (4/6)
Budget cut affects 34 urban Indian health clinics (03/27)
Senate Indian Affairs Committee seeks better budget (03/06)
Gorton blocked Reagan's cut to urban Indian health (03/03)
Urban Indian clinics in Oklahoma safe from cut (2/28)
Montana urban Indian clinics oppose Bush cut (2/23)
Opinion: Republican presidents pick on urban Indians (2/22)
Editorial: Save urban Indian health program (2/21)
Urban Indian health cut to affect 6,500 in Montana (2/20)
Elimination of urban Indian health care opposed (2/14)
Bush budget details Indian program cuts (2/10)
IHS gets another boost under Bush budget (2/7)