Tribes seek more funds to improve health care

By The Associated Press

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PORTLAND — Oregon Indian leaders pressed for improved tribal health care in a meeting yesterday with U.S. Sen. Gordon Smith.

Delores Pigsley, chairwoman of the Siletz Tribe, told the Republican the tribes are in the middle of a health-care crisis.

"We hope you will take a close look at what has happened to tribal health care," she said.

Cheryl Kennedy, of the Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde, said federal spending practices for health care are "appalling."

She said the government spends about $5,500 per person, with that figure dropping to about $3,000 for inmates and $1,800 for American Indians.

"We need an Indian health-care improvement act," she said.

Kennedy added it was widely assumed until recently that Indians had no problems with AIDS or mental illness because the medical forms they filled out had no corresponding boxes to check.

Smith said a federal health-care bill aimed at curbing teen suicide likely will pass in September and its provisions will affect American Indians.

Smith, who lost a son to suicide a year ago, said: "Some kids come to us with certain hard-wiring. They are beyond our ability to help."

He said legislation would, with parental permission, screen teenagers for problems that might lead to suicide, so they can be better treated.
 
The bill passed the Senate without opposition and will be considered there again with any House amendments.

Tribal leaders also pressed Smith on other matters, such as casinos, salmon and more money for tribal police.

All of Oregon's tribes have casinos in operation or under construction.