Health care is paid for with treaty land… and then some
Monday, May 24, 2021
Native Sun News Today Columnist
I once heard a local veteran state that he is “Indian” first and a veteran second. His comment reflects my sentiment “to the T.”
I was once told by a local Indian Health Service (IHS) employee to use the Veteran’s Administration medical facility located in Hot Springs. So, I stopped using the local facility in Pine Ridge a long time ago and managed to stay away for many years.
My experience with the local IHS facility was disappointing and disheartening. For example, each time I went to the hospital for a cough, I was prescribed aspirin and sent home. Since the cough persisted, I usually go to see a doctor in a neighboring town and find a serious condition like pneumonia. I’ve heard many express their frustration as a family member was misdiagnosed which exacerbated their condition.