That’s how Kevin Howlett, director of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes’ Health and Human Services Department, characterizes the national health care proposals put forward by U.S. Sen. Max Baucus.

Baucus staffers have traveled Montana this week, seeking input on the proposals – and boy, have they been getting an earful. Mostly, it’s from people who favor the so-called single-payer system, similar to what the Veterans Administration has. Opponents like to deride this as “socialized medicine.” Baucus says it’s off the table as a solution to the nation’s health care crisis.

In addition to the howls of outrage at that position, at yesterday’s meeting held on the Flathead reservation, Baucus staffers heard from tribal members who said the plan is woefully inadequate for Indian Country.

“We’re only given 40 percent of what it would take to bring health care for Native Americans up to the level we provide federal prisoners,” Howlett said.

Ouch.

Read the story here. It contains a poll so that you can make your feelings known.

Gwen Florio

Tags: buffalo post, Native American news