PRESS RELEASE
POC:
CRST Public Relations
10/4/04
Martha
R. Garreau
(605)964-8308
Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe leading the Initiative
on Addressing the Poor Quality of Health Care in
Indian Health Services
A strong advocate for health care issues involving
Indian Health Services, Chairman Frazier is taking
the lead to stand up to IHS.
Frazier invited Tribal Leaders and Health Care Directors
in the Great Plains Region to a Tribal Health Summit
on the 8th and 9th of October, 2004 in Rapid City,
SD. The Summit is a follow up to the recent gathering
with Tribal Leaders and Senator Tom Daschle. The
purpose of this meeting is to address the crucial
problems that Tribes are facing with IHS, unify
to find solutions, and construct a game plan for
the next Congressional Session in January of 2005.
“We’re all experiencing the same problems
and it is time to unite to find the solutions,”
stated Frazier, “We can no longer tolerate
the denial of critical services to our members.”
In May of this year the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe
said, “Enough is enough,” and took official
action to assist Tribal Members to bring malpractice
suits against IHS, change the policies and practices
of IHS, and held public hearings to gather testimony
against IHS. Chairman Frazier declared, “Our
people can no longer tolerate the physical and emotional
suffering caused by the policies and practices of
Indian Health Services.”
This gathering will be the first step in taking
action to end the mistreatment of Tribal Members.
“We have the knowledge and resources amongst
us to take action,” said Frazier.
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