Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Pelosi promises on Native health care

From Indian Country Today:

“[W]e cannot ask Indian people to be penalized for choosing to use the Indian health care system,” Pelosi wrote.
“The House bill will ensure that the exemption from the financial penalties is extended to members of federally recognized Indian tribes, and that the tribally provided health care benefits are appropriately protected.”

Many lawmakers, both Republicans and Democrats, agree that American Indians have already paid for the cost of their health care many times over due to wrongful loss of lands, broken treaties, bad federal policy and other historical injustices imposed on tribal nations.

It's interesting to hear the "health care" buzz words going on at AFN/Youth and Elders conference downtown lately. The Alaska Federation of Natives convention is the largest gathering of Native people in the state, and there is always lots of politics going on.

Energy and economy, of course, are major topics, but in casual conversation alone, I heard so many Alaska Native people talking about health care.Technically, the convention hasn't started yet (tomorrow it kicks off) but the traditional Youth and Elders conference was packed with people talking about health care and what's going to happen. This from a people who, by majority, receive a differentform of health care than the average American.

At the very least, the focus on health care reform has created a genuine dialogue about health care where there was not one before. I can only think that's a good thing.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Good that there's dialogue happening.
Bad that many in Native leadership roles are perpetuating Palin's stunningly inaccurate interpretation. Because of pushing an Christian evangelical agenda and shamefully exploiting ignorance.
The SCF leadership can't be bothered to read the bills for themselves and embrace and support something that good be for the Native community. Because of their own private partisan politics.
Health care is their industry and profession, after all.

Anonymous said...

What happens to your health care when you go outside the state?

Bill of Wasilla said...

Ms. Writing Raven -

So many things have happened since your last post that I am beginning to grow a little worried.

I hope that you are well and that we will soon read your words here once again.

I always look forward to what you have to say.

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