Post by blackcrowheart on Feb 17, 2006 8:43:14 GMT -5
Indians wary of health cutsA proposal to cut $33 million in funding to urban health centers that serve American Indians would affect Wichita's Hunter Health Clinic.BY HURST LAVIANAThe Wichita EagleAmerican Indians who rely on the Hunter Health Clinic for medical care were urged Wednesday night to send letters to elected officials protesting a plan that many fear could endanger the clinic's ability to help them.
More than 50 people gathered at the Mid-America All-Indian Center to learn about a proposal by President Bush that would eliminate the $33 million that is needed next year to operate 34 urban Indian health centers around the country. Hunter Health is the only such center in Kansas.
Susie Schwartz, chief executive of the clinic, said Bush's proposal calls for shifting the emphasis on American Indian health care to Indian reservations. She said the prospect does not sit well with Native Americans living in Wichita.
Among those attending the meeting was Rick Youngeagle Duran, who said many American Indians living in urban areas would not have access to medical care if it was provided only on reservations.
"In order for me to get any medical treatment, I'd have to drive 5 ½ hours to the south," he said.
He said other American Indians living in Wichita would face even longer drives to seek health care.
Duran said the Hunter Health Clinic has helped him control diabetes and heart problems that threatened to cripple or kill him.
Schwartz said the best way to get Congress to maintain urban health care for American Indians was through letters to elected officials --"everyone you think that might make a difference."
Newman Washington, chairman of the Indian Center's board of trustees, agreed.
"There's only one way they're going to listen and that's if we send out the message," he said.
More than 50 people gathered at the Mid-America All-Indian Center to learn about a proposal by President Bush that would eliminate the $33 million that is needed next year to operate 34 urban Indian health centers around the country. Hunter Health is the only such center in Kansas.
Susie Schwartz, chief executive of the clinic, said Bush's proposal calls for shifting the emphasis on American Indian health care to Indian reservations. She said the prospect does not sit well with Native Americans living in Wichita.
Among those attending the meeting was Rick Youngeagle Duran, who said many American Indians living in urban areas would not have access to medical care if it was provided only on reservations.
"In order for me to get any medical treatment, I'd have to drive 5 ½ hours to the south," he said.
He said other American Indians living in Wichita would face even longer drives to seek health care.
Duran said the Hunter Health Clinic has helped him control diabetes and heart problems that threatened to cripple or kill him.
Schwartz said the best way to get Congress to maintain urban health care for American Indians was through letters to elected officials --"everyone you think that might make a difference."
Newman Washington, chairman of the Indian Center's board of trustees, agreed.
"There's only one way they're going to listen and that's if we send out the message," he said.