Traditional tribal health care
According to an OHA press release, American Indians and Alaska Natives experience greater health disparities and lower life expectancy than most other populations.
Oregon’s nine federally recognized tribes, in partnership with the Oregon Health Authority (OHA), have received approval for coverage of traditional health care practices through the Oregon Health Plan (OHP/Medicaid) and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP).
The approval comes from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).
According to an OHA press release, American Indians and Alaska Natives experience greater health disparities and lower life expectancy than most other populations. There is a direct correlation between historical trauma and negative health outcomes. A better understanding of where persistent health disparities come from recognizes the true history of the nation and state.
Honoring traditional tribal healing practices with Oregon’s tribes demonstrates the state and federal government’s commitment to supporting tribes in improving health in tribal communities using their own tribal-based practices, the OHA release said .
“It is long past time for us to recognize and effectively support traditional health care practices and providers in Oregon’s tribal communities,” said Emma Sandoe, director of Oregon Medicaid. “This will help improve the quality of care, healthy outcomes and access to culturally appropriate health care for tribal communities across the state.”
Oregon tribes, tribal entities, and other academic advisors have been meeting regularly since 2003 to gather information on Indigenous practices within tribal communities that improve life and health outcomes.
OHA
OHA has recognized these as Oregon Tribal Based Practices and has supported Tribes to use these practices in many areas of health care, with contracts and grant funding. It has long been a goal to make some of these practices reimbursable by Medicaid. Thanks to these efforts, Oregon has become one of the first four states in the nation to receive initial approval for coverage of traditional health care practices offered by Indian Health Service (IHS) facilities, tribal facilities, and the Urban Indian Organization ( UIO). ).
“This is a great day for tribal health programs,” said Ft. McDermitt Paiute-Shoshone tribal member and OHA Director of Tribal Affairs said. “Our ancestors gave us the power to survive for thousands and thousands of years, using our traditional medicines, our cultural way of life, our teachings on healing and wellness. We are grateful for our partnerships with the Nine Tribes of Oregon and our Urban Indian Health Program. They are the experts in our tribal communities, and we will continue to look to our elders, cultural caregivers and tribal leaders to guide this work to improve health in Oregon.”
OHA officials said they will work closely with tribal partners on implementation. Other states approved first include Arizona, California and New Mexico.
For more information about Oregon’s approval, visit the approval at Medicaid.gov.
