The Indian Health Service (IHS) is not an example of how public option health insurance would work, says an Obama administration official.
Yesterday on the White House blog, Kimberly Teehee, a senior policy advisor for Native American Affairs at the White House Domestic Policy Council, posted a rebuttal to those who have used the Indian Health Service as an example of what could go wrong with a public option health insurance plan.
“The IHS system is not an insurance plan,” Teehee said in a video and written message. “And comparing the two is like comparing apples to oranges. IHS provides comprehensive health care services to approximately 1.9 million American Indians and Alaska Natives living on or near reservations in 35 states. Some of these health services include doctor visits and check-ups, dental and vision care, diabetes prevention and treatment, mental health and substance abuse treatment, and home health care. IHS also helps construct hospitals and clinics and provides safe drinking water and sanitation facilities to American Indians and Alaska Natives. Health insurance, by contrast, provides individuals a guarantee to a defined set of benefits for a price. While the IHS accepts insurance payments for care it provides, it is not an insurance plan.”
In a recent interview with the Rapid City Journal, South Dakota Gov. Mike Rounds pointed to the Indian Health Service to caution South Dakotans against supporting more government involvement in medical care.
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Deflection noted but not bought. The IHS is an example of a badly run government program. It doesn't matter what you call it. The government will call a sewage sandwich a hamm sandwich. But the American public knows it don't taste the same. I say again the IHS is a perfect example of a government program, all bad.
ReplyDeleteDoes this mean SD Gov. Mike Rounds supports fixing IHS? Or is he just blowing smoke at the voters?
ReplyDeleteBoth the IHS and VA hospital system are examples of mismanaged governmental programs. I don't think that anyone tries to claim that the IHS is an insurance plan. In attempting to misdirect the public, it is Teehee who is comparing aooles to oranges. "Anonymous" above has it pegged!
ReplyDeleteMust we fall for the promises and lies, the generalities in their claims of offers to better the Indian Nations? Look into each Obama's and Eric Holder's past and notice the facist ideal's about ethnic cleaning etc and be forewarned!
ReplyDeleteDon't lessons learned in the past over the 200 or so years behind us, of what they did to our elders after false promises, ethnic cleansing by the govt., and promises to "Take care of the Indians?" Yea, they took care of us didn't they!?
We all no what kind of medical we got, and they are right, it's pitiful!
I vote to keep the govt out and lets take care of ourselves! The next thing they will try will be to dissolve the reservation lands!
Now all these Politicians are more than willing to call IHS a failure but where were they all these years it needed fixing? IHS would probably work better if USDA wasn't handing out unhealthy food through the food distribution program. IHS isn't perfect but I've been going to a clinic for 37 years and I've never paid a single penny and have always received great care.
ReplyDeleteHe's trying to make healthcare reform the same as IHS which they are not. It would be a great thing if IHS was overhauled and made better, but those that oppose healthcare reform also don't want to see IHS improved.
ReplyDeleteGot to wonder how much PAC money this Mike Rounds receives? These kinds of people think health care is a privilege and not a fundamental right. B.S.
IHS is not a good place to get decent health care. Complaints about the system falls on deaf ears. I am still waiting for a response from the local Indian Health Center Director about why my spouse was not given antibiotics for a tick bite. I think the money that goes to IHS should instead go to the tribal members in the form of stipends towards picking a private health insurance plan. The IHS facilities could stay open but would have to compete for my health needs. If I had a choice, I would not go to the local IHS facility. As part of the US Government' trust responsibility provided to the tribes and its past involvement in nearly killing us off, Native Americans deserve a decent health, dental, and vision care plan. The tax payers have to pay for the genocide and for all the land that was stolen.
ReplyDeleteAll of you need to look at the current Veteran's Admin .asfar as screwed up government health care is concerned. You are supposed to be an independent nation, fix it yourself
ReplyDeleteIndependent nation? What gargage have you been taught? We are only as independent as white people see fit. Treaties were drawn between the U. S. Government and tribes. We fought for fair compensation of lands that were illegally obtained. My ancsestors fixed the injustices and the government is obligated to pay for its genocidal acts. We do not receive free services. Those services were paid for in blood and the suffering caused by the sinful acts of a supposely Christian nation.
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