Omaha Tribe of Nebraska speaks out on IHS hospital problems

OMAHA TRIBE OF NEBRASKA LEADERSHIP SPEAKS OUT ON WINNEBAGO IHS HOSPITAL PROBLEMS

The Tribal Council of the Omaha Tribe of Nebraska is deeply concerned about the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services' (CMS) potential termination of Medicare funding at the Winnebago Indian Health Service Hospital.   Omaha Tribal Chairman, Clifford Wolfe Jr., noted that the IHS failed to correct serious quality problems cited by CMS on April 23, 2014 which CMS said placed patients in "immediate jeopardy."

While the hospital has "Winnebago" in its name, the facility was built to provide inpatient care to both Omaha and Winnebago tribal members and is located in Winnebago, Nebraska.

For several years, the Omaha Tribal Council has been concerned about the quality of care provided at the hospital.  According to Wolfe, the Omaha Tribal Council is outraged that apparently nothing has changed since the hospital was deemed an "at risk" facility by the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs in December 28, 2010.  Several of the very same problems cited in the Senate Report over three years ago continue today, he added.  The Chairman noted that the IHS is failing to meet its obligation to tribal members to provide quality in-patient care at the hospital.  The Omaha Tribal Council, according to Wolfe, intends to demand that the IHS form a joint Board of Winnebago and Omaha tribal members and officials to oversee the much needed reform at the hospital. It is clear that the current administrative regime simply does not have the will or the ability to protect patients at the Winnebago IHS Hospital, he concluded.

For more information, contact Chairman Clifford Wolfe Jr. at 402-837-5391.