Oregon’s nine federally recognized tribes are working with the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) to ensure that traditional medical practices are available through the Oregon Health Plan (OHP/Medicaid) and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). Got approval to be covered.
This approval comes from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).
According to OHA, American Indians and Alaska Natives experience greater health disparities and shorter life expectancies than most other peoples. There is a direct correlation between past trauma and negative health outcomes. A deeper understanding of where ongoing health disparities stem from allows us to recognize the true history of our nation and state.
Honoring Tribal Traditional Healing Practices with Oregon Tribes strengthens the state and federal government’s commitment to leveraging unique tribe-based practices to help improve the health of tribal communities. The OHA release states:
“Recognizing and providing real support to traditional medical practices and providers in Oregon’s tribal communities is long overdue,” said Oregon Medicaid Director Emma Sandow. . “This will help improve quality of care, healthy outcomes, and access to culturally competent health for tribal communities across the state.”
Oregon tribes, tribal organizations, and other academic advisors have met regularly since 2003 to gather information about indigenous practices within tribal communities that improve life and health outcomes.
OHA recognized these as Oregon Tribal-based practices and helped tribes utilize them in many areas of health through contracts and grants. It has been a long-standing goal to make some of these medical procedures eligible for Medicaid reimbursement. As a result of these efforts, Oregon became the first state in the nation to receive the first license to cover traditional medical practices provided by Indian Health Service (IHS) facilities, tribal facilities, and Urban Indian Organizations (UIOs). It became one of the four states. ).
“This is a great day for tribal health programs,” said Fort McDermitt, a member of the Paiute Shoshone tribe and OHA’s tribal affairs director. “Our ancestors gave us the power to survive for thousands of years through the use of traditional medicine and traditional medicine.” Cultural lifestyles, our teachings about healing and health. We are grateful for our partnership with Nine Tribes of Oregon and the Urban Indian Health Program. They are the experts in our tribal communities, and we will continue to look to elders, cultural guardians, and tribal leaders to guide this effort to improve Oregon’s health. . ”
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 approvals, please see the following approvals: Medicaid.gov.
