In the past few weeks, a Navajo Nation dog rescuer was honored by a global animal rescue organization; tribes shore up resources to help relatives heal from the overdose crisis; and a tribal chief was banned from a state House of Representatives for speaking in favor of Medicaid expansion. Here is our round-up of health equity news in Indian Country.
Rez Dogs
The Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation is hosting a free animal spay/neuter clinic on May 2-3 at the Umatilla Tribal Fire Department.
Dogs will receive spaying and neutering, vaccinations, a microchip, and flea and tick medication. Cats receive spaying and neutering, and vaccinations. The cost of treatment for each animal, which ranges from $110-$125 — is covered by a donation from First Nation Vet Care, a Native- led non profit providing free vet care on reservations, and the 15/10 Foundation, a nonprofit that helps owners pay vet bills.
Many reservation communities contend with large stray dog populations, commonly referred to as rez dogs. Spaying and neutering are crucial to preventing unwanted litters and reducing overpopulation, and reducing the spread of disease. To have your pet treated during the clinic, sign up here.
A Navajo Nation dog rescuer was honored with a Community Hero Award by Humane World for Animals, a global nonprofit advocating for animal welfare.
Healing from the Overdose Crisis
While opioid overdoses have dropped in the general population, Native communities continue to experience the highest levels of deadly opioid overdoses. Tribal communities across Indian Country continue to shore up resources to help their relatives heal from the crisis and prevent overdoses.
Eastern Shoshone is the latest tribe to install a free public health vending machine in its tribal health office. The machine dispenses gun locks, smoking cessation kits, fentanyl testing strips, condoms, and naloxone, a nasal spray drug that reverses opioid overdoses. While naloxone is available over the counter, its cost ranges from $31 to $50 per two-pack, making it cost-prohibitive for many.
Naloxone vending machines are becoming increasingly common in tribal communities, as they offer an anonymous and no-cost avenue to the life-saving overdose medication.
As well, a cross tribal nonprofit has broken ground on a treatment center in Pauma Valley. Inner-Tribal Tribal coalition formed in 2021 as the overdose crisis reached catastrophic levels, aiming to bring culturally centered addiction treatment and resources to Native communities. The treatment center will have 60 residential substance use disorder treatment beds and 200 outpatient spots, with the capacity to serve 500 patients annually.
Expasions, Celebrations
The Urban Indian Center of Salt Lake has expanded to offer pediatric care, radiology, and pharmacy services.
Clarence Wesley Health Center (CWHC), a satellite campus of San Carlos Apache Healthcare Corporation, celebrated its first full year in operation. The center sees more than 2,100 patients a month with optometry, dental, physical therapy, X-ray imaging, and a drive-through pharmacy.
Medicaid Expansion
Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin was banned from speaking on the floor of the Oklahoma House of Representatives after speaking in support of a Medicaid expansion on April 8. In 2020, Oklahoma citizens voted in favor of Medicaid expansion, but now that Congress has imposed new burdens on Medicaid expansion, the state is considering rolling it back.
According to KFF, while Medicaid expansion leads to higher government spending, it is linked to lower rates of uninsurance, increased health care affordability, improvements in access to care and health outcomes, and economic benefits for states and providers.
Cherokee Nation Health Services is the largest tribally operated healthcare system in the country.
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