Broken Promises: Evaluating the Native American Health Care System

"This was borne out on October 17, 2003, when the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights (Commission) held a public briefing in Albuquerque, New Mexico, to examine the extent of the disparities in the health status and outcomes of Native Americans, and to explore the causes for those disparities.2 Information gathered during this briefing is incorporated into this report. Also reflected in this report is information discovered during a survey of existing literature and studies on Native American health disparities, as well as interviews of tribal leaders, tribal members, policy analysts, researchers, care providers, and representatives of the Indian Health Service (IHS) and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).3 In addition to conducting interviews of IHS and CMS leadership and staff, the Commission used interrogatories to obtain additional information about IHS and CMS policies and practices. Finally, members of the Commission staff gathered information during a tour of the Gallup Indian Medical Center in New Mexico and an informal listening session with tribal members and others concerned about the state of the Native American health care system."