Navajo Nation provides input on health care needs

<i>Courtesy photo/NNWO</i><br>
Anslem Roanhorse (at left), executive director for Navajo Nation Division of Health, represented the Navajo Nation on Dec. 19 during an Obama-Biden transition meeting in Washington, D.C. where tribal health officials spoke to the transition team on health care needs and concerns among tribes and urban Native Americans.

<i>Courtesy photo/NNWO</i><br> Anslem Roanhorse (at left), executive director for Navajo Nation Division of Health, represented the Navajo Nation on Dec. 19 during an Obama-Biden transition meeting in Washington, D.C. where tribal health officials spoke to the transition team on health care needs and concerns among tribes and urban Native Americans.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Navajo Nation was one of several tribes represented Dec. 19 at an Obama-Biden transition meeting where tribal health officials spoke to the transition team on health care among tribes and urban Native Americans.

"There are five new health facilities needed on the Navajo Nation," stated Anslem Roanhorse, executive director for Navajo Nation Division of Health. "Access to quality health care is important." Roanhorse is also the alternative member to Council Delegate Jerry Freddy, who serves as a member of the National Indian Health Board, an Indian health organization based in Washington, D.C.

The transition team's meeting is the first of several more to take place, confirmed transition team members. The meeting was held mostly to hear tribal leaders and representatives give their views, share concerns, and lend ideas to the transition.

"Since the early 1990s, health care funding has decreased," Roanhorse added. "We need a modern enhanced 911 system, an emergency apparatus, surgical and radiology equipment, and a rotary wing landing site to transport trauma victims."

Health care funding for tribes is mostly provided through the Indian Health Services, a $3.2 billion federal agency. The Indian Health Care Improvement Act (S. 1200), which authorizes permanent funding for the Indian health agency, was passed this year by the Senate. There was no floor vote in the House.

Health care through the Indian Health Services are divided in 12 regions across the United Sates, with Navajo being the largest.

"We have more than 500 uranium mines on Navajo lands, the significant impact to the health of our Navajos in affected communities," Roanhorse said. "We need a long term health assessment on the impacts of uranium mining." The Navajo Nation's Health Division and Environmental Protection Agency are working jointly to address health needs affected by uranium contamination.

Additional concerns raised by Navajo at the meeting included health care for veterans.

"We have some 12,000 Navajo veterans who have served their country throughout World War I and II, Korea, Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan," Roanhorse declared. "We need further cooperation to develop a veteran community based outpatient clinic."

"The Navajo Nation is very rural. Less than 50 percent of our homes have no telephone service, and many places cell phones don't work," Roanhorse continued. "Internet service is very sparse."

Roanhorse recommended changes to transition team members on funding. He asked for direct funding to Navajo and for "set aside" funding for tribes that are federally recognized. Some Division of Health programs are exempted from being routed through state health agencies.

Another challenge under current Medicare and Medicaid rules for recipients who receive coverage is proof of citizenship. A federal law pass in 2005 imposed requirements on tribal citizens to show proof of U.S. citizenship before receiving Medicare and Medicaid services. Many tribes have asked the federal government to recognize tribally issued documents. Roanhorse asked the transition team to allow tribal documents to be used as proof of citizenship.

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