Post by Okwes on Oct 9, 2006 10:21:20 GMT -5
Micmac clinic reopens; tribal dispute drags on
By Bangor Daily News Staff
Friday, September 29, 2006 - Bangor Daily News << Back
By Rachel Rice
Bangor Daily News
PRESQUE ISLE — A federal agency has helped to reopen the Aroostook Band of Micmacs’ health clinic, restoring primary care and emergency services for hundreds of tribal members.
However, a dispute over tribal leadership — which some say is linked to the Micmac Family Clinic’s closure three weeks ago — remains unresolved.
Officials with Indian Health Service, which is within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, confirmed Thursday that it is providing "significant technical assistance" and financial support to the northern Maine tribe to meet basic health care needs.
IHS stepped in after the local tribe closed down its clinic on Sept. 4 and laid off about 40 employees because of a lack of funding. A reported $933,000 was needed to provide health care through December.
Some tribal leaders said "unexpected needs" caused the funding shortfall. Others cried financial mismanagement and held a meeting on Sept. 8, removing Chief William Phillips from office. A quorum of six tribal councilors attended the meeting and installed Cheryl Smart as chief.
Tribal leaders on Phillips’ side have called the meeting illegal because it was not scheduled with one week written notice, according to the tribe’s bylaws. They say they still are in charge based on an Aug. 30 letter from the Bureau of Indian Affairs that recognizes Phillips as the duly-elected leader.
Franklin Keel, BIA eastern regional director, is reviewing the matter.
Victoria Higgins, acting chief for the tribe while Phillips is on sick leave, declined to comment Thursday morning when questioned about the state of the tribe, saying she was too busy. Attempts to reach Phillips for comment were unsuccessful.
John Ouellette, director of the Micmac Health Department, which oversees the local clinic, said that the tribal community was pleased to get its basic health care services back. With IHS help, the department is providing primary care at the clinic and limited contract health services at off-site facilities, such as local emergency rooms.
Ouellette said efforts are under way to restore other services as soon as possible.
Richie Grinnell, director of the IHS Nashville area office, said in a statement Thursday that local tribal leadership has expressed interest in having IHS "assume management" of the health care program, though the agency is waiting for an official letter of request to move forward on the matter. The Nashville area office covers much of the eastern U.S., including Maine.
Kevin Molloy, public affairs liaison with the IHS Nashville area office, said Thursday that if an agreement is reached, it would take about 30 days for the clinic make the transition to a federally operated program. Molloy said that officials have identified agency funding to support the interim operation and that the tribe would not be expected to reimburse IHS for it. Noting that budget shortfalls could happen for a wide variety of reasons, Molloy said that officials will be looking into financial records and providing extra monitoring assistance to avoid future problems.
"We will certainly be working with them to look at how the money was spent," Molloy said. "We want to help them be successful at running their own program."
As for tribal leadership, local officials say they aren’t sure how much more "back and forth" the band can take.
"People are frustrated and aggravated at this whole situation," Smart said. "I’m frustrated. I want to move on. I want the tribe to grow, not fall."
Fellow tribal councilor Sheila McCormack agreed.
"It’s just a big chaos. People are frustrated. It’s like they’re not being heard," McCormack said. "My hope is that the community is heard. They’ve spoken. Now let’s do as they ask."
By Bangor Daily News Staff
Friday, September 29, 2006 - Bangor Daily News << Back
By Rachel Rice
Bangor Daily News
PRESQUE ISLE — A federal agency has helped to reopen the Aroostook Band of Micmacs’ health clinic, restoring primary care and emergency services for hundreds of tribal members.
However, a dispute over tribal leadership — which some say is linked to the Micmac Family Clinic’s closure three weeks ago — remains unresolved.
Officials with Indian Health Service, which is within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, confirmed Thursday that it is providing "significant technical assistance" and financial support to the northern Maine tribe to meet basic health care needs.
IHS stepped in after the local tribe closed down its clinic on Sept. 4 and laid off about 40 employees because of a lack of funding. A reported $933,000 was needed to provide health care through December.
Some tribal leaders said "unexpected needs" caused the funding shortfall. Others cried financial mismanagement and held a meeting on Sept. 8, removing Chief William Phillips from office. A quorum of six tribal councilors attended the meeting and installed Cheryl Smart as chief.
Tribal leaders on Phillips’ side have called the meeting illegal because it was not scheduled with one week written notice, according to the tribe’s bylaws. They say they still are in charge based on an Aug. 30 letter from the Bureau of Indian Affairs that recognizes Phillips as the duly-elected leader.
Franklin Keel, BIA eastern regional director, is reviewing the matter.
Victoria Higgins, acting chief for the tribe while Phillips is on sick leave, declined to comment Thursday morning when questioned about the state of the tribe, saying she was too busy. Attempts to reach Phillips for comment were unsuccessful.
John Ouellette, director of the Micmac Health Department, which oversees the local clinic, said that the tribal community was pleased to get its basic health care services back. With IHS help, the department is providing primary care at the clinic and limited contract health services at off-site facilities, such as local emergency rooms.
Ouellette said efforts are under way to restore other services as soon as possible.
Richie Grinnell, director of the IHS Nashville area office, said in a statement Thursday that local tribal leadership has expressed interest in having IHS "assume management" of the health care program, though the agency is waiting for an official letter of request to move forward on the matter. The Nashville area office covers much of the eastern U.S., including Maine.
Kevin Molloy, public affairs liaison with the IHS Nashville area office, said Thursday that if an agreement is reached, it would take about 30 days for the clinic make the transition to a federally operated program. Molloy said that officials have identified agency funding to support the interim operation and that the tribe would not be expected to reimburse IHS for it. Noting that budget shortfalls could happen for a wide variety of reasons, Molloy said that officials will be looking into financial records and providing extra monitoring assistance to avoid future problems.
"We will certainly be working with them to look at how the money was spent," Molloy said. "We want to help them be successful at running their own program."
As for tribal leadership, local officials say they aren’t sure how much more "back and forth" the band can take.
"People are frustrated and aggravated at this whole situation," Smart said. "I’m frustrated. I want to move on. I want the tribe to grow, not fall."
Fellow tribal councilor Sheila McCormack agreed.
"It’s just a big chaos. People are frustrated. It’s like they’re not being heard," McCormack said. "My hope is that the community is heard. They’ve spoken. Now let’s do as they ask."