Post by blackcrowheart on Oct 11, 2006 17:23:56 GMT -5
Native American Health Care Not Good Enough!
www.bellaonline.com/articles/art46449.asp
<http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art46449.asp>
They walked into the building. The long halls and no sense of
direction did not help them to find what they were looking for.
Finally they located a room that looked promisiing. They walked in the
room and probably 30 heads turned to stare at them. Still they weren't
sure where to go but finally found the reception desk.... Empty! They
could hear people in the back talking but no one was there to wait on
them. It took a while of standing there but finally a rude woman came
and snapped at them. Asking them what they needed. It wasn't long before
she told them to follow her and took her to a tiny office the size of a
small closet. The air was stuffy and there were two chairs for them to
sit on in the stark small room. The receptionist demanded to know where
their papers where explaining that they could not be seen without proof
of their right to be there. That too many people tried to get in without
proof.
This sounds like a chapter in a drama but it's real life. This is the
reception awaiting people at a Native American hospital close to my
home. This is the reception people get when they try to get medical care
in underfunded facilities. What else can we expect when things aren't
updated, funded and following guidelines? This is a serious problem.
People aren't being taken care of in a lot of these hospitals and
clinics like they should be and it is time to do something! Now there
are several really good facilites but they are the exception rather than
the rule unfortunately. For many their just simply is a lack of the
funding needed to take care of people as they should be.
If you are in an area that needs better health care, write to your
tribal government and ask that the hospitals and clinics be looked at
and updated. Ask that they request more funding for better services for
you and your children.
Native Americans have the right to quality health care but aren't
getting it in many cases. This issue has been known for many years but
things aren't getting better at any speed. The difference between Native
American clinics and hospitals and general hospitals and clinics is
amazing. The waiting times for appointments are longer. The ability to
do tests and proceedures is lacking and the care in some cases is also
lacking because of the need for more doctors, funding, equipment and
better facilities.
A great article to read for further information on this issue is here -
www.metrotimes.com/editorial/story.asp?id=9067. It's not because
we have poor doctors, or poor receptionists. It's because they are
trying to provide what health care they can with what they have. And
what they have is not enough. It's not enough for your children, your
parents, or my sister and neice whose experience I just wrote about. My
neice is a registered member of the Choctaw Nation but the health care
system was disappointing in their ability to take care of things. I hate
to say this but it's a reflection on the broken promises of the
government. Unfortunately it's something we've seen over and over but
it's time for people to write to their government. At least make their
voices heard and not be a silent sufferer anymore.
According to the article listed above Native American's expected life
span is nearly five years less that the rest of the population of the
United States. Absolutely NOT acceptable statistics! My voice will be
heard but it takes many voices to get the attention that is needed to
get things moving.
This is just my opinion on the state of health care for Native Americans
today. You know what it's like. I want us to all have the same life
span, the quality health care and the promise of a better tomorrow for
the children. Write to your government and tell them what you want.
For further help in locating your government officials the site below
has contact information for all.
THE COMPLETE LIST OF E-MAIL ADDRESSES & FAX NUMBERS FOR CONGRESS, SENATE
& GOVERNORS BY STATE www.conservativeusa.org/mega-cong.htm
www.bellaonline.com/articles/art46449.asp
<http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art46449.asp>
They walked into the building. The long halls and no sense of
direction did not help them to find what they were looking for.
Finally they located a room that looked promisiing. They walked in the
room and probably 30 heads turned to stare at them. Still they weren't
sure where to go but finally found the reception desk.... Empty! They
could hear people in the back talking but no one was there to wait on
them. It took a while of standing there but finally a rude woman came
and snapped at them. Asking them what they needed. It wasn't long before
she told them to follow her and took her to a tiny office the size of a
small closet. The air was stuffy and there were two chairs for them to
sit on in the stark small room. The receptionist demanded to know where
their papers where explaining that they could not be seen without proof
of their right to be there. That too many people tried to get in without
proof.
This sounds like a chapter in a drama but it's real life. This is the
reception awaiting people at a Native American hospital close to my
home. This is the reception people get when they try to get medical care
in underfunded facilities. What else can we expect when things aren't
updated, funded and following guidelines? This is a serious problem.
People aren't being taken care of in a lot of these hospitals and
clinics like they should be and it is time to do something! Now there
are several really good facilites but they are the exception rather than
the rule unfortunately. For many their just simply is a lack of the
funding needed to take care of people as they should be.
If you are in an area that needs better health care, write to your
tribal government and ask that the hospitals and clinics be looked at
and updated. Ask that they request more funding for better services for
you and your children.
Native Americans have the right to quality health care but aren't
getting it in many cases. This issue has been known for many years but
things aren't getting better at any speed. The difference between Native
American clinics and hospitals and general hospitals and clinics is
amazing. The waiting times for appointments are longer. The ability to
do tests and proceedures is lacking and the care in some cases is also
lacking because of the need for more doctors, funding, equipment and
better facilities.
A great article to read for further information on this issue is here -
www.metrotimes.com/editorial/story.asp?id=9067. It's not because
we have poor doctors, or poor receptionists. It's because they are
trying to provide what health care they can with what they have. And
what they have is not enough. It's not enough for your children, your
parents, or my sister and neice whose experience I just wrote about. My
neice is a registered member of the Choctaw Nation but the health care
system was disappointing in their ability to take care of things. I hate
to say this but it's a reflection on the broken promises of the
government. Unfortunately it's something we've seen over and over but
it's time for people to write to their government. At least make their
voices heard and not be a silent sufferer anymore.
According to the article listed above Native American's expected life
span is nearly five years less that the rest of the population of the
United States. Absolutely NOT acceptable statistics! My voice will be
heard but it takes many voices to get the attention that is needed to
get things moving.
This is just my opinion on the state of health care for Native Americans
today. You know what it's like. I want us to all have the same life
span, the quality health care and the promise of a better tomorrow for
the children. Write to your government and tell them what you want.
For further help in locating your government officials the site below
has contact information for all.
THE COMPLETE LIST OF E-MAIL ADDRESSES & FAX NUMBERS FOR CONGRESS, SENATE
& GOVERNORS BY STATE www.conservativeusa.org/mega-cong.htm