When Steve Cadue, chairman of the Kickapoo Tribe in Kansas, travels to Washington, D.C., later this week for the seventh meeting of the Health and Human Services Secretary’s Tribal Advisory Committee, he will be excited, commited and vocal.
Cadue plans to make a difference by voicing his opinions to the committee while he is on Capital Hill.
“My biggest concern is what exactly the United States Congress is doing through the committee and other services to help with Native American health care,” Cadue said. “Historically, the U.S. Congress has not adequately funded Native American health care. I hope to secure more resources for health care services for Native Americans.”
According to U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, former Kansas governor, the purpose of establishing the STAC was to create a coordinated strategy to incorporate tribal guidance, improve relations, and continue to improve the partnership with Indian tribes.
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“We are committed to continually improving our relationship with Indian Country and building healthier communities,” Sebelius said in a statement.
The poverty and economic conditions among Native American communities is also something that makes Cadue somewhat apprehensive as he heads to Washington. Cadue believes much of the health concerns Native Americans face originate from the widespread poverty.
“Many of the health concerns like diabetes, alcoholism, and obesity stem from the poverty throughout our communities,” he said.
In fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the highest rate of death among Native Americans stems from heart disease. Diabetes and obesity, which are main concerns for Cadue, are both large causes of multiple heart diseases.
Unlike such federal programs as Medicare and Medicaid, the Indian Health Service doesn’t accrue annual interest to keep pace with inflation, thus posing a growing problem.
Despite the small funding increases given to the IHS, the increasing number of service population, coupled with the growing medical costs, prevents the IHS from providing adequate care for the Native American communities, Cadue said.
Cadue also hopes to provide support for another health-related cause.
“I think we need to provide a focused effort to recruit Native Americans into the medical fields,” he said. “We need to be talking to universities and medical schools across the nation.”
Although Cadue has focused his attention on health care, it isn’t his only concern going into the advisory committee meeting.
“A large part of the problem is being overlooked. There have been past focuses on other minorities, and not enough focus on Native Americans,” Cadue said. “The public and Congress need to know about Native Americans, and I think this committee will help with visibility.”
Cadue will leave Tuesday and return Friday, hoping that he can make an impact while in Washington.
“I’m very thankful and looking forward to going,” Cadue said. “I hope to be able to make a positive difference.”
Date: June 3, 2013