The Fort Peck tribe is being treated with almost lethal indifference from the Indian Health Service. From ulstrasound machines to kidney dialysis machines, the word from on high is that Fort Peck tribes will have to make due. Native Americans already have one of the highest infant mortality rates in America, they don't need the IHS dropping the ball to make things any worse.
The upside is that the Indian Health Care Improvement Act and a Congressional review may help change things. Let's just hope that the help comes sooner rather then later. The Fort Peck tribe can't afford to wait.
from the Missoulian:
The Fort Peck Tribal Executive Board has declared a health care emergency on the reservation, and has asked Congress to look into delivery of medical care by the Indian Health Service.
Tribal Medical Director James Melbourne says the crisis has been building for years, due to a lack of funding and a lack of leadership in the IHS.
He says the tribe has spent $16,000 to $20,000 to provide its own kidney dialysis machines and replace them every couple of years. Melbourne says the IHS lacks ultrasound machines and other diagnostic equipment, and doesn't have a nurse-anesthesiologist to assist in childbirths.
Democratic Sen. Max Baucus of Montana says he hopes the Indian Health Care Improvement Act will resolve the problems. It was passed overwhelmingly by the Senate in February and is pending in the House.
From the Falmouth Institute:
"The crisis we're talking about has been building for years due to a
lack of funding and a lack of true leadership in the IHS," tribal
Medical Director James Melbourne was quoted as saying in the AP report.
The
tribes have spent $16,000 to $20,000 on kidney dialysis machines. Last
week, Melbourne had to find $2,000 to buy a coloscope, needed to
examine sexually abused children. Other equipment is still needed,
including ultrasound machines. But Melbourne said IHS will not pay for
any of the equipment because it is not a priority.
In addition
to the equipment, the tribes’ health department has staff shortages and
lacks vital services, such as addiction counseling and nutrition
services.
