Archives for November 2016
Trahant Reports – Medicaid Funding
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What can American Indians and Alaska Natives expect from a Donald Trump administration? Let’s start with a billion dollar dilemma.
This is Trahant Reports.
When it comes to the federal relationship with American Indian and Alaska Native governments as sovereigns we will likely see ideas pop up that were long ago discarded as impractical, expensive, or out and out wrong.
At the top of that list: Shifting power from the federal government to state capitals. That was Ronald Reagan’s plan when he came to Washington. In 1981 he proposed rolling dozens of federal programs into block grants for states. Then the budget was cut by 25 percent, the argument being states could deliver the services more efficiently. But even a Republican Senate did not buy the whole plan.
So now Republicans, led by House Speaker Paul Ryan, will take another shot at creating state block grants.
Ryan’s agenda, “A Better Way,” proposes to do this with Medicaid. “Instead of shackling states with more mandates, our plan empowers states to design Medicaid programs that best meet their needs, which will help reduce costs and improve care for our most vulnerable citizens,” the speaker’s plan says.
This is a significant issue for the Indian health system. Under current law, Medicaid is a partnership between the federal and state governments. And states get a 100 percent federal match for patients within the Indian health system.
Four-in-ten Native Americans are eligible for Medicaid funding, and, according to Kaiser Family Foundation, at least 65,000 Native Americans don’t get coverage because they live in states that did not expand Medicaid.
The Affordable Care Act, which is priority one for repeal and replacement, uses third-party billing as a funding source for Indian health programs because it can grow without congressional appropriations. The idea is that when a person is eligible, the money is there. The Indian Health Service budget in fy 2017 includes $1.19 billion in third-party billing, $807 million from Medicaid programs. This funding source is especially important because by law third-party billing remains at the local clinic or other unit. And, most important, when the Indian Health Service runs short of appropriated dollars, it rations health care. That’s not the case with Medicaid funding.
Ryan’s House plan would convert Medicaid spending to a per capita entitlement or a block grant depending on the state’s choice. And there is no indication yet how the Indian health system would get any money through such a mechanism.
During the campaign Trump promised to repeal the Affordable Care Act, including Medicaid expansion, but said there would be a replacement insurance program of some kind.
Last week Rep. Tom Cole, R-Oklahoma, said on CSPAN that the Indian Health Care Improvement Act was one of the good features of the Affordable Care Act and ought to be kept. But nothing has been said by Republican leaders about how to replace a funding stream from Medicaid, potentially stripping money from an Indian health system that is by all measures underfunded.
I am Mark Trahant.
NAC: Nov. 28 – Dec. 2
Monday, November 28, 2016 – Before they disappear: endangered Native languages
There are 74 Native languages in North America that are critically endangered, according to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. That means only elders speak the language and even then they do so infrequently. Those trying to revive their languages are racing against time. We’ll look at revitalization efforts from tribes on the edge of losing their language forever. Does your family speak your language?
Tuesday, November 29, 2016 – Remembering Sand Creek
The initial reports of the armed conflict November 29, 1864 were that the Colorado U.S. Cavalry won a brave and difficult battle in Sand Creek. But later eyewitness accounts portray what is now considered a brutal attack that left more than 150 Cheyenne and Arapaho—mostly women, children and infants—dead. It is a day that will never be forgotten by those who descend from these tribal nations as well as others. We’ll discuss why it’s important to remember Sand Creek.
Wednesday, November 30, 2016 – Music Maker: The Red and Blues
We are turning to a band out of Lawrence Kansas for some Native blues. They’re the Red and Blues trio from Haskell Indian Nations University and their album, “Hope Begins to Bloom.” Their Native roots are evident in songs like “Manifest Destiny,” “Blast off the Rez,” and “Build a Pipeline Through My Heart.” The Red and Blues members Marcus Barnoskie (Pawnee/Creek), Kahheetah Barnoskie (Pawnee/Creek) and Reign Charger (Lakota) give their insights into their music.
Thursday, December 1, 2016 – Studying STEM for your future
There will be as many as one million more jobs available in science, technology, engineering and math fields by 2022. That’s the estimate listed by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. In the second part of our series on STEM, we’ll speak with Native scientists about why they chose their path. How would more Native researchers affect environmental policy decisions? Could Native engineers help solve infrastructure problems on reservations? Have you considered a career in STEM?
Friday, December 2, 2016 – Standing Rock update
The conflict over the pipeline outside the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation is reaching a fever pitch. Last week saw the worst injury so far to a woman opposing the pipeline construction. Each side blames the other for the wound that might end up costing her arm. The injury came during a tense night in which law enforcement officers used a water hose, rubber bullets and tear gas against those who call themselves ‘water protectors’. Both sides are asking for federal intervention. In an editorial, the New York Times asks “how can this possibly end well”?
Friday, November 25 2016
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Dakota Access Pipeline opponents continue to stage demonstrations
Another federal agency warns the Nooksack Tribe of invalid actions during their disenrollment process
A prominent Minnesota environmental activist is wary of the incoming Trump administration
NAC November 21 – 25
Monday, November 21, 2016 — November Native In Spotlight: Taté Walker
Taté Walker (Mniconjou Lakota) is the editor of Native Peoples Magazine. During her time overseeing this national publication that features the life and work of Native American, Alaska Natives and all First Peoples of this planet. She is an accomplished journalist and through her work over the years has raised awareness on the importance of Native art and culture. We invite you to join us as we visit with with this esteemed writer, blogger and photographer.
Tuesday, November 22, 2016 — Food allergies: when sustenance becomes dangerous
Food allergies among children are becoming more common. There was a 50 percent increase in the prevalence of food allergies between 1997 and 2011, according to a 2013 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention study. Another 2007 study found seal and whale meat caused allergic reactions among some Alaska Natives.
Wednesday, November 23, 2016 – 40 years of Native film
Visionmaker Media is celebrating 40 years of Native filmmaking by showing 40 Native films over 40 weeks. The films featured run the gamut from Native marching bands to the protection of sacred places.
Thursday, November 24, 2016 — Hunting for meat and culture
It’s Thanksgiving—a time for reflection, feasts and family. We’re taking this time to rebroadcast one of our more popular shows on the tradition of hunting. It connects to the importance of sustenance, ceremony and celebration. What are the new traditions in your community?
Friday, November 25, 2016 – November in the News
On this Black Friday, we’re shopping around for the most interesting and important Native journalism. We’ll learn more about the Mormon Church foster care scandal on the Navajo Nation. We’ll also check in on some previous stories we’ve covered and where they currently stand. We’ll also shine the light on some Native news stories that you may have missed because of the election and Dakota Access pipeline coverage.
Hunting for meat and culture
Trahant Reports – Indian Country voted like America…only more so
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This election Indian Country was like America. Perhaps only more so.
This is Trahant Reports.
Most American Indian and Alaska Natives voted for Hillary Clinton. There were not enough votes to make a difference in red states like Montana, South Dakota and North Dakota. Just enough votes to stay the course in blue states like New Mexico, Washington or Oregon. And, most important, not nearly enough votes in the swing states.
Hillary Clinton earned 60, 839,922 votes to Donald J. Trump’s 60,265,858. But that, of course, is not the way we elect the national leader and Trump’s 290 electoral votes were more than enough to win.
If you look at a color coded 2012 election map Indian Country pops out. There are bright blue pools of voters in deeply red states. Shannon County (now Oglala Lakota County) voted 93.4 percent for Obama. That’s Pine Ridge. Obama won 3/4s of the vote in Rolette County, North Dakota, which includes the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewas.
Or next door in Montana, voters from the Fort Peck Reservation came out and led the county with 56.5 percent voting for Obama. But blue faded in the red states this election. Trump picked up 200 more votes than Mitt Romney in 2012, but the real number is that nearly 600 fewer voters went for Hillary Clinton compared to Barack Obama.
Same story in Oglala Lakota Country. Clinton won, and by a large margin, but with 500 fewer votes than Obama.
In Rolette County nearly 1,300 fewer votes for Clinton.
The red states did not change because of that but it’s a good indication about how tepid the support for Clinton was, even in Indian Country.
This story played out in blue states, too. More than 2,000 voters disappeared in McKinley County on the Navajo Nation in New Mexico.
And, in swing states, such as Arizona, that slight difference, a few hundred people who did not vote here and there, added up to real numbers. In Apache County, where the majority of the voters are Navajo, 17,147 picked Obama four years ago. This election only 12,196 voted for Clinton.
Indian Country will make a difference in future elections. The demographic makeup of the country is changing fast and we are a part of that.
I also think it’s clear that Clinton took Indian Country for granted. There was no attempt to learn
and execute what worked from the Bernie Sanders campaign.
And ignoring Standing Rock was a sure way to turn off Native voters. There was probably a “let’s get past the election” conversation, although eventually Tim Kane did weigh in, but nothing changed the narrative that Clinton represented more corporate power, not less. Supporting Standing Rock would have been the right call.
Yet that might be the essence of Hillary Clinton and why she lost. Her campaign was a package of powerful interests trying to market itself as the voice of ordinary people. Indian Country’s answer was, yeah, whatever. Meh.
I am Mark Trahant.
Live from Indigenous Comic Con
NAC Nov. 14 – 18
Monday, November 14, 2016 — Rock Your Mocs
A Native pride campaign this week encourages people to wear their traditional moccasins. The Rock Your Mocs idea is meant to spread awareness of Native cultures by sparking conversations. We take you to several Native communities to find out how different moccasins are made and what they mean to those who wear them. Are you wearing your moccasins?
Tuesday, November 15, 2016 — Taking time to hear young Native American voices
Young people have ideas, energy and passion. But that passion can turn into frustration when they think no one is listening to them. The Obama administration launched Generation Indigenous to help young people succeed. The UNITY group also promotes positive pathways for Native American youth. In cultures that place a high degree of respect on elders, young people must work to be taken seriously. Are there ways to keep them from getting discouraged?
Wednesday, November 16, 2016 — Health care on the chopping block
The election of Donald Trump puts the Affordable Care Act in jeopardy. The new president-elect promises to repeal what’s known as Obamacare. That has possible consequences for Native Americans because it’s linked to Medicaid funding and the Indian Health Care Improvement Act. We will explore some of the potential scenarios that the new president and Congress might bring forward in the coming months.
Thursday, November 17, 2016 – The Great (Native) American Smokeout
Smoking rates are going down, but about 40 million adults in the U.S. still light up. The chances for Native Americans picking up the habit are higher than the rest of the population. On the day designated by the American Cancer Society as the Great American Smokeout, well discuss tips and tricks for quitting. We’ll also explore the difference between commercial and sacred tobacco.
Friday, November 18, 2016 – Live from Indigenous Comic Con
Super Indian. Tribal Force. Captain Paiute. If you don’t know these names then you’re not yet plugged into the growing world Indigenous comics. The first ever Indigenous Comic Con is descending on Albuquerque and we’re broadcasting live. Comic conventions or ‘cons’ began as an opportunity for hard core comic book fans to connect and geek out. But it’s grown to include a much broader audience. There are a handful of comics and video games written by and about Native Americans. We’ll talk with some of the artists and authors about what inspires them.
Veteran’s Story: Yajmownen – ep 5: Healing Ogitchedaw
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Pokagon Band of Potawatomi hosts its own podcast, called “Yajmownen,” which means “stories” in Potawatomi. In this episode, Pokagon Band Vietnam War veteran Jerry Campbell shares his story of true love, war, and coming home.