As Congress debates potential cuts to federal Medicaid funding, health centers serving Native American communities are facing uncertainty and potential catastrophe. One such facility is the Oneida Community Health Center near Green Bay, Wisconsin, where over 40% of the 15,000 patients are enrolled in Medicaid. Debra Danforth, the director of the Oneida Comprehensive Health Division and a member of the Oneida Nation, expressed concerns about the devastating impact these cuts could have on both patients and the facility.
The Oneida Community Health Center offers a range of services to the Oneida Nation’s 17,000 people, including ambulatory care, internal medicine, family practice, and obstetrics. The facility operates under an “open-door policy,” welcoming members of any federally recognized tribe. However, Medicaid cuts could lead to service reductions at health facilities serving Native Americans across the country.
Medicaid plays a crucial role in tribal health care, helping to cover chronic funding shortfalls from the Indian Health Service. More than a million Native Americans rely on Medicaid for their healthcare needs, both within tribal health facilities and outside providers. Tribal leaders are advocating for exemptions from Medicaid cuts, emphasizing the federal government’s responsibility to provide healthcare to Native American communities.
Tribes have made strides in expanding access to care in recent years, with some facilities adding services and providers thanks to Medicaid reimbursements. In Montana, urban Indian organizations have seen funding growth, enabling clinics to enhance services, expand operating hours, and address health disparities. Medicaid cuts would force these organizations to scale back services, impacting the health and well-being of the communities they serve.
Native American populations face significant health disparities and high rates of chronic illness, with Medicaid playing a vital role in ensuring access to care. State leaders are also urging Congress to spare federal Medicaid funding, as cuts would shift costs onto state budgets and potentially lead to changes in eligibility requirements.
While the federal government has exempted tribes from certain executive orders, the prospect of Medicaid cuts looms large. President Donald Trump has made conflicting statements about Medicaid cuts, with the House recently approving a budget resolution that includes instructions to slash Medicaid spending. Tribal leaders emphasize the importance of Medicaid in saving lives and providing essential healthcare services to Native American communities.
As Congress navigates the budget process, tribal leaders stress the need for ongoing engagement and collaboration to protect Medicaid funding for Native American health programs. Despite the challenges posed by potential cuts, tribes remain committed to providing quality healthcare to their communities and advocating for their healthcare needs on a national level.
