Indian Health Services (IHS) is a branch of the federal agency, which typically provides care to approximately two million Native Americans across the country. In the midst of the government shutdown, many of them are seeing reduced or eliminated services.
That includes right here in northern Nevada, where it's affecting Nevada Urban Indians, Inc. (NUI). The facility provides healthcare and community services primarily to Native Americans in Washoe County and Carson City.
They usually see about 150 to 160 clients a month, but the nearly month-long government shutdown has hindered their work. That's because officials there say grants from IHS provide two-thirds of its funding. Just this week, they began to cut services.
Janet Reeves, Executive Director for NUI says, "We're able to provide less services, the clinic--which was open four days is now open three days." Dan Olsen, Business Operations Manager says, "It has caused a lot of unfortunately, chaos, not only for us, but for our patients."
They've had to cancel or reschedule appointments made two to three weeks in advance, on the days they're now closed. Reeves says, "A lot of families are hurting."
However, Reeves explains that it's not only empty patient waiting rooms, "I've had to cut hours. Employees that I've had work five days are now working four days. Those that were working four days, are now down to three days." Olsen added, "Our doctor, our medical assistant--they're not in today."
Reeves says that many employees are looking for part-time jobs or planning to file for unemployment.
While NUI has been through government shutdowns before, Reeves says they've never had to actually close their doors to adapt.
Reeves added that she would be meeting with IHS Thursday afternoon to discuss what potential steps they may need to take going forward, if the shutdown continues. Until then she says they're taking it on a week-by-week basis.
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