United for better health care
Indian country always has been, and always will be, united in working to ensure Native Americans are provided the health care services they were promised by the U.S. government.
Recently, an inaccurate analysis appeared in Indian Country Today on the stalled vote in the U.S. House of Representatives on the reauthorization of the Indian Health Care Improvement Act. I can personally attest that the National Congress of American Indians, along with the IHCIA National Steering Committee, the National Indian Health Board, the National Council of Urban Indian Health and tribal leaders from across Indian country have all made, for the last several years, getting this legislation passed their number one priority. Their united effort has been unprecedented. Now, more than ever before, this is a time for us to come together. Tribal leaders look to our national organizations to lead the way and be our Washington, D.C., staff and our voice on Capitol Hill and we will confidently continue to do so. As a councilman of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe, I have witnessed over and over the health disparities Native people face on a daily basis. Unlike the ICT analysis, I can tell the real story of the united fight for reauthorization of the IHCIA. That ongoing struggle began decades ago to end the crisis of Native people whose lives have been cut short, or have experienced unnecessary pain and suffering, due to the subpar health care Native people face. They are the real stories and they deserve the real analysis. Take Marrles Moore, an 86-year-old elder of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe, as an example. Marrles, who is also my father, fell in his home, sustaining extensive trauma to the head. He suffered in an IHS emergency room waiting area for two hours, bleeding from the head, before being seen by a physician. Through reauthorization of the IHCIA, my father could have been living in an assisted living facility or had in-home care, and the fall could have been treated immediately or possibly even prevented. It would also have provided a fully staffed and modern medical facility where he could have been adequately treated upon arrival. These types of stories are the reason Indian country has been united in its efforts. It’s time to stop playing politics with people’s lives. Native people are dying. Along with our congressional representatives, the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, the House Resources Committee, the House Native American Caucus, and their hard-working staff, we must stay united and get this bill passed. I can assure you that tribal leaders and the national Native organizations will continue to put Indian people first. That is a promise. – Robert D. Moore
District 3 Council Representative Rosebud Sioux Tribe Mission, S.D. |
This content requires the latest Adobe Flash Player and a browser with JavaScript enabled.
Click here for a free download of the latest Adobe Flash Player.
ClassifiedsOn Demand
|
Tuesday, Jan 20 at 11:07 AM Old Friend wrote ...
It breaks my heart to hear how the elder Mr. Moore was treated. He is a man I have always looked up to and no one desearves that treatment, no one. It also angers me to read the malice against Robert Moore. I knew him when we are youths and he has always been an individual of integrity, with a great love not only for his family, but also for his people. Don't make statements filled with malice without having facts to back it up.
15177589 Inappropriate? Alert Us!Tuesday, Nov 4 at 8:41 AM Rosebudder wrote ...
Interesting. I have watched Mr. Moore and have listened to him in the Council chambers often and he has never once advocated for any of his family. I also know that he is a loving and great example of a care giver for both of his elderly parents. He speaks up for us and represents us and upholds his oath of office. Too bad that haters like Rosebud Employee give our people a bad name and don't work. Must be an employee that Mr. Moore pointed out wasn't doing thier job!
11819748 Inappropriate? Alert Us!Saturday, Nov 1 at 7:17 PM Rosebud Employee wrote ...
It is unfortunate that Robert's father fell and was injured, but what is really sad is that he fights more for the rights of his family than of the tribal members as a whole. You are never an advocate here on the Rosebud unless it personally impacts you or it is election season.
11711299 Inappropriate? Alert Us!Add a comment
Most Popular