What would Health Care Repeal mean for Indian Country?

What would Health Care Repeal mean for Indian Country?

By SCOTT MCKIE B.P. ONE FEATHER STAFF NEWS ka-no-he-da

http://www.nc-cherokee.com/theonefeather/files/2011/01/January-271.pdf

cherokee one feather THURSDAY, JANUARY 27, 2011

“A vote to repeal the Affordable Health Care Act would only

turn back the clock on the real progress we are making toward

ensuring that Na ve Americans have access to quality affordable

health care.”

- Interior Secretary Ken Salazar

The Republican-driven House of Representatives voted 245-189 on Wednesday, Jan. 19 to

repeal the Affordable Healthcare for America Act which included the Indian Health Care

Improvement Act. Looked at as a mostly symbolic act as the Democratic-majority

Senate would be unlikely to vote along for the repeal, what would a possible repeal

mean for Indian Country? “A vote to repeal the Affordable Health Care Act would only turn back the clock on the real progress we are making toward ensuring that Native Americans

have access to quality affordable health care,” said Interior Secretary Ken Salazar the day after the vote. “The Affordable Care Act included landmark legislation that permanently reauthorizes the Indian Health Care Improvement Act, which is so important to modernizing and improving the health care provided by the Indian Health Service to American Indians and Alaska Natives.”

According to information from the DOI, if the Act is repealed, several key provisions would be taken away from American Indians including: tax exclusions for individuals whose Tribes have

purchased health insurances for its enrolled members, exemption from tax penalties for those who don’t enroll in an exchange plan, and allowing tribes to purchase federal insurance for employees. Rep. Ed Markey (D-Mass.), the ranking member of the House Natural Resources Committee, agrees with Salazars’s sentiments. “Rolling back these health care reforms would be a serious setback for the health of American Indian communities everywhere. Native American communities need more health care, not less, and the Republican efforts to take away

patient rights will affect millions of our citizens, neighbors, friends and family

members.”

The Republicans were supported by three Democrats including Rep. Dan

Boren (D-OK) whose district includes parts of the Cherokee Nation. “Like most

Oklahomans, I support common-sense health care reforms such as preventing insurance companies from denying individuals with pre-existing conditions, allowing children to stay on their parents insurance until they are 26, and making it illegal to drop someone because they are sick,” he said. “However, when taken as a whole, the health care legislation adds

far too many taxes, mandates, and regulations that burden Oklahoma families and prevent our nation’s job creators from producing the kind of economic growth that

is sorely needed.”

Rep. Heath Shuler (D-NC), whose district includes the Eastern Band

of Cherokee Indians, voted against the repeal stating, “The American people expect

Congress to find real solutions to the challenges facing us, not continue divisive

partisan bickering. The healthcare legislation that passed last year had serious

flaws, and we should be working to solve those problems.”

While not specifically addressing Indian Country, Secretary of Agriculture

Tom Visick said in a statement on Thursday that a repeal would have vast affects

on rural Americans, a category many American Indians fit into. “Approximately 80 percent of rural Americans are self employed or work for a small business. The law is bringing down their

health care costs and the tax incentives it provides will help small businesses hire

more people and provide health care coverage to employees.”

--
"When crazy people call you crazy,

you know you're sane.

When evil people call you evil,

you know that you are a good person.

When lairs call you a liar,

you know that you are truthful.

Know who you are and don't let

others tell you who you are."

- Dave Kitchen