Interior - Bureau of Indian Affairs - Health Care

The text includes letters from Mr. Lawrence Tomah Jr., a Comanche Tribal Leader, to various government officials regarding the proposed location of a new Indian hospital in Lawton, Oklahoma. Mr. Tomah suggests that the hospital be located across the highway west of the current site to save money and utilize existing buildings. He believes the new location would be more accessible and beneficial for the Indian community. The government officials express appreciation for Mr. Tomah's input and promise to consider his recommendations.

The text discusses a proposal to provide financial assistance to state universities to train physicians to treat Indians, which is being opposed by Mike Kirwan. The Senate has provided funds for this Indian program, but the House conferees are not in agreement. Mike Monroney and Lister Hill are trying to include the funds in the Senate HEW Appropriations bill, and John Fogarty's support is being sought. Dr. Mosley is involved in the situation and has requested a discussion with Fogarty.

The text discusses a program for training physicians to serve the preventive health needs of American Indians, who currently have lower health status compared to the general population. It outlines the health issues faced by Indian and Alaska Native populations, including high mortality rates and incidence of communicable diseases. The program aims to strengthen preventive health efforts through specialized physician training and outlines the resources needed to implement it.

Chief Solomon Homer inquired about the possibility of obtaining a medical doctor to treat Indians in Choctaw county, but Dr. McBrayer stated there may not be enough work to justify a full-time physician. Dr. McBrayer suggested exploring the possibility of obtaining the services of a contract doctor in Hugo for emergency cases. The Indian Health Area Office in Oklahoma City also proposed increasing health services at Antlers and extending them to residents of surrounding areas. The overall challenge is providing medical services in an economically depressed area with busy physicians.

The Department of Health, Education, and Welfare's Public Health Service Division of Indian Health Area is working with Indian Health Service Unit Directors and Hospital Administrative Officers in a four-state area to plan health activities by objective. A conference in Oklahoma City will include presentations on the Indian viewpoint, relationships with Indian groups, and other topics related to health planning and management. Various workshops and discussions will cover topics such as hospital accreditation, public health nursing, sanitation, and oral health. Medical directors and administrators from multiple Service Units in Oklahoma, Kansas, North Carolina, and Mississippi will be attending the conference.

Congressman Carl Albert expresses his appreciation to Assistant Chief of Police Bob Wade for his support in getting the approval for the Talihina water project. Wade also thanks Albert for his efforts in changing a ruling regarding medical services for non-Indian widows of deceased Indians. The clipping from the Talihina American newspaper highlights the details of the water project, which will benefit the community. Both parties express gratitude for each other's help and support.

Non-Indian widows of deceased beneficiaries of the Indian Health Program who were enrolled members of the Five Civilized Tribes can now receive medical services through the program on the same basis as other beneficiaries. This change in policy was announced by Congressman Carl Albert after he urged the Public Health Service to allow these widows to access hospital and medical care. The continuation of health services for non-Indian widows will be limited to those whose husbands were enrolled members of the Five Civilized Tribes and who have not remarried.