Baucus says Indian Health Service has 'serious' problems, needs more money

Sen. Max Baucus (D-Mont.) said Wednesday that the healthcare system for Native Americans is plagued by "serious" problems, including a severe shortage of doctors.

Baucus, the chairman of the powerful Finance Committee, addressed the issue at a Native American hospital in his home state. He said many problems demand better systems and more money.

He also cited more specific problems, saying the hospital where he made his remarks had refused to provide rape kits to some female patients.

Baucus noted that President Obama's healthcare law, the Affordable Care Act, permanently reauthorized the Indian Health Services Act, through which the federal government provides healthcare coverage to many Native Americans. Baucus called the permanent reauthorization "a big win for tribal healthcare."

He also noted that Obama has requested a significant budget increase for the Indian Health Service, but said the service is suffering from a doctor shortage as high as 20 percent.

"Our goal is to begin a new era of providing not only affordable healthcare, but quality healthcare," Baucus said. "Healthcare that can change the vicious cycles American Indians suffer daily."

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