American Indian health facility upgraded
Karen Peterson photo
The newly upgraded St. Ignatius Indian health facility is open.
Karen Peterson photo
The Mission Valley Honor Guard and Bear Spirit, a tribal drum group, celebrate the opening of the health clinic.
Karen Peterson photo
A ribbon cutting ceremony re-opens clinic. From left are Tony Incashola of the culture committee, Ron Trahan and Patty Stevens from the Tribal Council and Kevin Howlett, Tribal Health director.
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ST. IGNATIUS – The Tribal Health and Human Services Department clinic officially re-opened Wednesday after being remodeled to provide quality health care for American Indian people.
“This is a historic day,” said Kevin Howlett, director of the Tribal Health and Human Services Department.
The grand opening was celebrated with an honor song by the drum group Bear Spirit. The Mission Valley Honor Guard presented the flags, and Tony Incashola, director of the Salish-Pend d’Oreille Culture Committee, said a prayer “for the health of our people.”
The remodeled building with new medical equipment is a one-stop shop for health care services ranging from diabetes prevention to dental care. The facility contains an upgraded pharmacy, x-ray technology, a physical therapy facility and a security system. A few things like major surgery are still outsourced.
“Everything is new, even the office furniture,” said Bernie Azure, public information officer for the Tribal Health and Human Services Department.
Howlett described the building before the remodel – once used as housing for nuns – as functionally obsolete and embarrassing.
“This is the care we provide for our people,” he said sadly of the old building with its 5-foot, 9-inch ceiling in some areas.
Taller folks no longer need to stoop under those low ceiling tiles with the newly built vaulted roof in the lobby.
“It was re-built with native architectural accents,” Azure said of the front portion of the building.
Much of the building only required updating so the original exterior brickwork was left intact and similar brick was added to the new front.
“It was hard to find the exact brick to match,” he said.
The $5 million, debt-free project was made possible through revenue acquired from billed medical services. The Affordable Care Act provided greater medical coverage to many patients receiving services at the clinic, so the clinic was able to bill for services.
“With the Affordable Care Act, the government said we are not just giving you the money, you’re going to bill it,” said Anna Whiting Sorrell, Tribal Health Department director of operations, policy and planning. “This building was built with revenue and tribal support.”
The improved facility allows the tribe to better manage health care.
“What is going on here is a phenomenal thing,” Azure said. “It’s a ray of hope to let Indian folks manage that money. It’s part of the Self Determination Act where the tribes can put in to administer and run tribal programs.”
Jobs were created when the facility expanded.
“We hire people who want to make lives better,” Howlett said before introducing Dr. Deborah Sogge-Kermani. She plans to start at the clinic in September.
Jackie McDonald took her grandson to the clinic to have a cavity fixed on the day of the grand opening. She is impressed with the improvements but said health care for American Indians is more than a structural problem.
“You can get in but the procedures that follow need approval by a committee,” she said. “There is a lot of waiting for approvals. That is when (health problems) escalate. Health care needs to work faster.”
Anna Whiting Sorrell described the health care system as “broken,” saying some services are still not paid for by insurance companies. She said “providing beautiful clinics” was one step in the journey towards providing health care for American Indians, but many more steps need to be taken.
“Wait times mean a loss of lives,” she said. “There is still not enough funding. Tribes also need to take on the responsibility of providing the care guided by qualified Indian people.”
Tribal health clinics are located in towns across the reservation to serve tribal members and their descendants.
“Twelve thousand people use the services on this reservation,” Azure said.
The second phase of the remodel is scheduled to be completed this spring and includes office space and room for mental health programs.
The Arlee clinic is scheduled for a remodel in 2017.
