Baucus, tribal leaders discuss issues facing reservation
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RONAN — U.S. Sen. Max Baucus (D) received a warm welcome Thursday afternoon at the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribal Complex, where he held a listening session with the CSKT council and other tribal leaders.
Baucus is spending the month touring Montana, and also plans to visit Rocky Boy, Blackfeet and Fort Belknap Reservations to discuss important issues facing American Indians in Montana.
Though mostly expressing gratitude, some CSKT leaders did voice concerns specifically in the area of health care.
“We continue to have tribal people that are being turned over to collection services,” CSKT Tribal Health Department Director Kevin Howlett said. “This isn’t something new. It’s been going on for years and years.”
He also noted that the Indian Health Services receives only about 45 percent of the funding required to function.
In addition to concerns on health care, Natural Resource Department Head Clayton Matt asked how the Montana and British Columbia environmental agreement would be implemented on the reservation.
“I’m here basically to listen to your concerns,” Baucus said in reply. “I am pleased that the water rights compact seems to be getting off the ground and started.”
Baucus also pledged that he would have the state and tribal agreement ratified in Congress as soon as it’s passed.
After noting that there are “big IHS funding problems,” Baucus focused his comments on health care reform.
Baucus explained that starting in 2014, Medicaid will provide medical coverage for people that were not previously eligible.
“We will make sure that it does work,” Baucus said. “I have a responsibility to see that it’s implemented correctly … for Americans, Montanans and for all of you.”
Baucus stated that he was pleased that the health care reform bill was passed and the American Indians are fully integrated in the health care plan.
He noted that the health care plan would be a “big improvement for Americans across the country.”
Following the listening session, Baucus headed to Great Falls to hold a small business round table discussion on Aug. 13.
