Native Injustice: Antiquated and underfunded healthcare in Indian Country - Part 3

The Indian Health Service also known as IHS is the federal healthcare system for American Indian and Alaskan Natives. Established in 1787, the IHS was founded through special relationships between the federal government and all 574 federally recognized tribes in 37 states. There are 26 hospitals, 59 health centers, and 32 health stations in 8 states. The biggest concern is that some of these hospitals are in remote areas.

These same healthcare facilities are away from many tribal reservation lands. As a result, many American Indians and Alaskan Natives have to travel many miles away from the reservation to seek quality healthcare. This causes many Native families to miss numerous medical and dental appointments due to the inability to make it there. The other issue along with this is lack of proper transportation for them to attend many appointments located in IHS run health centers. They end up missing or having to reschedule appointments because of lack of transportation.

Having healthcare centers and hospitals nearby or even on tribal reservation lands would encourage people to attend their medical and dental appointments. Many Native elders will be able to go to their medical appointments without issues. Numerous families will be able to have access to quality healthcare. The other thing that needs to happen is for healthcare workers to be given a cost of living allowance and/or relocation assistance so they can be able to live in the communities they are providing quality healthcare to. This way tribal reservations would be able to better equipped to ensure the elders are taken care of.

The result from having healthcare facilities so far away from the reservations is by many Natives having to move out of their respective reservations in order to obtain quality healthcare elsewhere. More than likely, the reason is because services within the IHS system is outdated and antiquated. The facilities are extremely understaffed and are in need of Native American doctors to work in the many understaffed facilities.

This way it would improve the quality of life in the many tribal reservations throughout the country. Having additional access to healthcare on the tribals lands and reservations will provide people the opportunity to access quality healthcare. The elderly and small children as well as many adults - young and old will be able to make their scheduled appointments. People will be able to have access to a hospital for any emergency care and any speciality procedures they will need in order to get well. Doctors and nurses working in these hospitals and clinics should be able live in the respective tribal and reservation areas they provide medical care to. Quality of life on tribal reservations will being improve gradually but not overnight because there has to be a sense of committment in wanting to make their communities better than they were.

The Indian Health Service can take necessary steps in order to improve the quality of healthcare for all Native Americans. It is time for the IHS to keep up with the ever so changing times we are living in today. By now, there should be quality access to hospitals and clinics on tribal lands. We as a country and a society as a whole should be more cognizant to the world around us. We as a human race need to take the time to help our Native families in this country.

I reccomend that Congress would set aside funding so that the Indian Health Service will be able to improve their hospitals and clinics that are located in tribals lands and reservations. They should be able to offer healthcare professionals the opportunity to live in the communities they serve in the IHS healthcare system.