That is a scary threat. I was diagnosed with Polymyalgia a rhumatoid/auto immune condition. I am also diabetic, thankfully I refused to take the 1 yr treatment with Predisone. I read it could make my controlled blood sugar uncontrollable. I took predisone for a couple 10 day terms and with occasional Naproxen I am doing mostly ok. But Lupus was a mentioned possibility. Still could be??
I have a problem today greater than the medical problem. As a Native American Indian, wherever a tribe is located, another tribal member can generally use their facility unless it is an expensive test or specialist outside of that tribal clinic. Then we have to go to our own tribe or have them make arrangements.
And it is not always the US Government that does the oppressing!! The Seminole Tribe of Florida is denying tribal members of other tribes to use their health facilities as of 7-1-12 for any chronic problem if your are not Seminole, yet my tribe the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma tribe sees every person of Native American heritage with a Indian card (CDIB). So who is the oppressor? Indian Health Services meant long ago for Indians to have access to medical care. The Seminole Health states they will no longer treat anyone not Seminole for chronic conditions. Diabetes is a chronic condition and is prevalent in all our Indian families. They will see us for acute condition- short term duration like the flue and Indians living in Florida with Diabetes or other chronic illness patients are now uninsurable and thrown to the wolves. If you can help by faxing or sending letters stating this is unfair treatment, I would appreciate it. I am Choctaw and my tribe Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma treats all Indians of all tribes in clinics across Okla.
Connie Whidden is the Seminole Health Director- Her Fax 954-985-8456-Phone 954-962-2009 address Seminole Tribe of Florida 3006 Josie Billie Ave., Hollywood, Fl. 33024
Thank you for allowing me to address this issue on your thread. Today is my first day as a member at DU, and they won't allow me to start my own thread yet. I am in tears, I was insurable when I started going to the Seminole clinic 7 years ago. Now that I have diabetes I can no longer buy affordable insurance. The govt insurance is $370.00 per month for one person my age (55).If the Seminoles can do this to me, it can be done to any Indian anywhere. If I can't find a job with health insurance, I may have to move back to Oklahoma for my needed diabetes care. I have lived in Florida for over 20 years.
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