Image Source: Jason Kerzinski for Wisconsin Examiner
As Congress considers potential cuts to Medicaid, health centers serving Native American communities, like the Oneida Community Health Center in Wisconsin, are preparing for severe impacts. Over 40% of the center’s 15,000 patients rely on Medicaid, and cuts would greatly reduce services. Medicaid is crucial for Native American health services, helping tribes cover shortfalls from the Indian Health Service (IHS). For many tribal health providers, Medicaid accounts for about two-thirds of their revenue, helping them offer critical services and expand care.
Tribal leaders are urging Congress to exempt tribes from Medicaid cuts, highlighting that Medicaid is vital in addressing severe health disparities in Native American communities. In states like Montana, Medicaid funding has enabled urban Indian clinics to grow and offer expanded services, such as behavioral health care. Cuts would reduce these services and exacerbate health disparities.
Data shows that a higher percentage of Native Americans, especially children, rely on Medicaid compared to other groups, making the program crucial for their health care. While some exemptions have been made for tribal programs under previous administrations, leaders stress that cuts to Medicaid would still harm Native Americans significantly, shifting costs to state governments and potentially causing loss of coverage for many. Tribal leaders are fighting to preserve Medicaid funding, as the program plays a critical role in meeting the U.S. government’s healthcare obligations to Native Americans.
Learn more: https://www.yahoo.com/news/tribal-health-leaders-medicaid-cuts-101517705.html
