Melinda Gopher on Misplaced Loyalties in Montana

Native Americans in the state of Montana have much at stake in health care reform, yet, this pivotal and powerful swing vote has had scarcely anything to say on this issue. Montana is home to a 10 member Indian Democratic legislative caucus. Senator Baucus works closely with the Montana-Wyoming Tribal Leaders Council, based in Billings. The state's largest minority group has a unique and powerful voice to weigh in on the public option AND/OR single payer/universal; yet there is a stunning silence. (The exception is State OPI Superintendent, Denise Juneau who spoke to a pro-reform rally on Sept. 7 in Gt. Falls).

As a result of several years of federal neglect and lack of resources; Native Americans in Montana and elsewhere are moving away from their lands to the urban centers. Their health care does not necessarily follow them. Health care delivery by the Indian Health Service is largely reservation based, where nationally, only 30% of the tribal population is now located. Indian Health care is not portable, therefore, the I H S, rather than adjust to this new reality; simply provisions vans to shuttle those needing health care back to the reservation for a fuller slate of medical needs. Urban health clinics are sadly underfunded, understaffed and in some cases have no qualified staff to deliver even basic services. These urban clinics are limited to dispensing a handful of over the counter medications and minimal prevention activities.

The U.S. allocates more funding to its inmate population, per capita than it does to Native Americans. We have worse health care than a prison inmate. This stunning reality encompasses the daily reality of Native Americans; so used to the status quo that perhaps is the very reason for the silence. Native American voters who are apathetic toward politicians have accepted long ago that no matter how much they are engaged in the system; things will never change. There is a high degree of skepticism and dissatisfaction.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/melinda-gopher/misplaced-loyalties-monta_b_287006.html
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