Navajo Area U.S. Indian Health Services presents report to Council in Council chambers at Window Rock, Ariz., on April 21, 2014. Photo by Marley Shebala
NAVAJO AREA IHS DIRECTOR JOHN HUBBARD
There is focus on Affordable Care Act and Indian tribes are impacted. Many rules and regulations are slightly different for tribes in implementing this law. We have been keeping numbers and we have counseled about 20,000 individuals in our area. We talked to these individuals when they came to IHS hospitals so this real direct contact and we assist with options. It’s a straigh forward process because for many of these patients we have their eligibilty process to find out if need to be enrolled. There are segment of population not eligible for insurance.
We recently conducted governing body meetings, which are myself, immediate staff and service unit management/CEO/clinical director/nurses and treat as prime group to review data. Some things that were impressive. Service units doing well in spite of financial issues. Crownpoint, NM, has used some of its domestic violence resources and meth/suicide prevention to work closely with schools and community. they have addressed bullying and for youth to police themselves. they have identified youth that can help their peers so counseling begins with peer first. it is working really really well, especially in the area of bullying. That is our priority – work with youth in high school years.
other priority is reforming IHS. we get reviewed all the time. we had headquarters and procedures evaluation. We are looking to streamlining procedures. Improving quality and access to care: one clinic in Flagstaff for Navajos and we are trying to bring up to speed in automation. we have installed computers for data collection which will improve care.
In Shiprock NM, staff has consolidated program that allows patients to receive perscriptions in mail. and it has received really good response.
Budget for 2015: President Obama budget available. And we are slightly ahead by $200,000, which goes to contract health care. contract health care increasing. There are four new facilities: san carlos, southern california youth, choctaw, and kayenta. projecting 254 positions at $22.8 million.
Also want to mention Hantavirus since spring. there currently are five cases. Lst year there were 8 cases and one fatality. there are things you can do to protect self. it is serious disease and if don’t get to provider, it can be fatal.
IHS FACILITIES MAINTENANCE DIRECTOR JENNY NOTAH
SUMMARize process for new facilities to get on national priority list. several projects including Kayenta. there are three other outpatient in dilkon, bodaway gap. there is inpatient facility in Gallup on priority list and much needed. all these projects were among 149 that competed in 1991. inpatient Phx, White River and Gallup. Congress consider funding based on listing. Kayenta is second after Fort Yuma. Dilkon is fourth. Some factors considered are population, work load, isolation, size, age. In 2010, Health Care Improvement Act protected and allowed to grandfather in. there was proposal to change methodology but Navajo Nation very concerned.
DELEGATE EDMUND YAZZIE
there is legislation and started year ago to light fire and get construction for Gallup hospital. this legislation allow team players get together to g et together on one page. it passed congressional health committee. i want clarified that this legislation for Gallup hospital is not going to interferw with priority listing or other planned facilities on Navajo Reservation. When with Sheriff’s Department, I’d go to ER and you cud hear patients being worked on. ER is too small. Couldn’t believe what seen. Gallup IHS doctors puts Grey’s Anatomy to shame. they were so busy. Three patients died from train accidents and my loved one who was there was traumatized. And Gallup hospital is for Navajo reservation in New Mexico and Arizona.
DELEGATE LEONARD TSOSIE
I understand dollars for staff for inpatient and outpatient would be lowered, even if no impact to priority listing. you are respository for health information and you should share with reservation communities. IHS shud help us understand Affordable Care Act. We want lot of people to have health insurance. but we have not heard from IHS. You are like United Nations. You are fenced off and arrogant. You don’t help until you are requested to.
Phoenix Indian Hospital used a lot by Navajos but it was divided up among the southern tribes. you help our Navajo brothers and sisters in those urban areas. many not there by choice. they were under federal relocation program.
DELEGATE RUSSELL BEGAYE
What information do you have on the number of Navajos that could fined for not applying for the Affordable Health Care Act? And there are numerous Navajo graduates of Medical School and the military but they are not working at the IHS hospitals? Why?
