Biden-Harris Administration Expands Health Care Access to Tribal Communities by Covering Traditional Practices

The Biden-Harris Administration recently approved Section 1115 demonstration amendments that have granted Medicaid and CHIP permission to be utilized in conjunction with conventional healthcare services practiced at Indian Health Service, Tribal facilities, and urban Indian organizations. This historic step has been announced by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) through the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). The aim is to improve access to care and strengthen patient outcomes for the American Indian and Alaska Native populations in Arizona, California, New Mexico, and Oregon.

HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra explained the importance of the expansion. According to him, traditional healthcare practices are of great importance to American Indian and Alaska Native populations. Also, with Medicaid and CHIP, we’re extending access to culturally appropriate, high-quality health care in Tribal communities.
CMS Administrator Chiquita Brooks-LaSure noted that this is part of the work of the Biden-Harris Administration in addressing health disparities and equity. In taking care improvement to heart, the approvals of the amendment include what has long been needed in Tribal communities, it re-integrated into care.

There, in Washington, IHS Director Roselyn Tso supports and acknowledges that it was indeed traditional healing knowledge that has been a vital factor in maintaining health in American Indian and Alaska Native communities for generations. She said the administration recognizes the value of those practices bridging culture, science, and wellness.

Under this shift in policy, several health disparities that have been prevalent among the Indigenous peoples will be solved. Indigenous peoples have higher percentages of obesity, diabetes, mental illnesses, and substance abuse disorders. This can be considered a step toward health equity among tribal communities since traditional healing practices will be covered under Medicaid and CHIP.

Learn more about state approvals at Medicaid.gov.

Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS)
California Advancing and Innovating Medi-Cal (CalAIM)
New Mexico Turquoise Care
Oregon Health Plan (OHP)

 

 


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