Oregon Health Plan to cover traditional medicine, cultural practices of tribal communities

SALEM, Ore. — Traditional health care practices of Oregon’s Nine Tribes will now be covered under the Oregon Health Plan, an effort by the Oregon Health Authority to acknowledge historical traumas and help improve the quality of care and life expectancies in the communities.

The plan has been approved by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Children will also be covered under the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP).

Julie Johnson, a member of the Ft. McDermitt Paiute-Shoshone Tribe and OHA’s Tribal Affairs Director, said in a press release:

“This is a great day for Tribal Health Programs! Our ancestors gave us the strength to endure survival for thousands and thousands of years, utilizing our traditional medicines, our cultural ways of life, our teachings of healing and wellness. We are grateful for our partnerships with the Nine Tribes in Oregon and our Urban Indian Health Program. They are the experts in our tribal communities, and we will continue to look to our elders, cultural keepers and tribal leaders to guide this work to improve health in Oregon.”

American Indian and Alaska Natives face significant health disparities and lower life expectancy compared to other populations, the OHA explains, and historical trauma has been linked to these negative health outcomes. The agency says recognizing and addressing these disparities is crucial to understanding the true history of the nation and state.

Emma Sandoe, Oregon’s Medicaid director, said, “It is long overdue that we recognize and provide true support for traditional health care practices and providers in Oregon’s tribal communities. This will help improve the quality of care, healthy outcomes and access to culturally appropriate health for tribal communities in the state.”

Since 2003, tribes in Oregon, tribal entities, and academic advisors have collaborated to gather information on indigenous practices that enhance life and health outcomes. The Oregon Health Authority (OHA) has acknowledged these as Oregon Tribal Based Practices and has supported their use through contracts and grant funding.

Oregon is among the first four states, alongside Arizona, California, and New Mexico, to receive approval to cover traditional health care practices provided by Indian Health Service facilities, Tribal facilities, and the Urban Indian Organization.