AB 839 will help Native American Tribes who serve Medi-Cal patients
(SACRAMENTO, CA)— Yesterday, Assemblymember Eduardo Garcia (D-Coachella) introduced AB 839, to increase healthcare access for Native American tribes. This measure would allow Native American Indian Tribes or Tribal organizations to seek direct reimbursement from the federal government for Medi-Cal Targeted Case Management (TCM) services.
“I am proud to support Native American Tribes in my district and throughout the State,” exclaimed Assemblymember Garcia. “In my area there are Tribes that qualify as disadvantaged communities, we must do all we can to provide greater access to healthcare services for individuals living in these vulnerable and often rural area populations.”
California tribes that do not operate their own lucrative businesses rely heavily on Medi-Cal and the severely underfunded federal Indian Health Service. This bill would allow the for the U.S. Health and Human Services Agency to cover half the cost incurred by the Indian Health Clinic or Tribal Health Program providing the local match.
“To care for our American Indian population in rural areas, it is important to strive to provide comprehensive services that will meet their healthcare needs, case management is an important part of this work,” stated Desiree Franco, a representative from the Torres-Martinez Tribe, located within the 56th Assembly District.
In addition to local regional support, AB 839 is sponsored by the California Rural Indian Health Board, Inc. (CRIHB). CRIHB is a nonprofit agency, incorporated in 1969 and sanctioned by 33 federally recognized Tribes in California to provide health care services and technical assistance through a network of 17 Tribal clinics to approximately 28,000 members.
Lisa Elgin, CRIHB Board Chair applauds this legislation and the Assemblymember for his, “support and stalwart efforts to always include Tribes in public policy and lift our collective voices in a respectful government-to-government relationship with the State of California.”
Assemblymember Eduardo Garcia (D-Coachella) serves as the chairperson of the Assembly Committee on Water, Parks and Wildlife. He represents the 56th district, which comprises the cities and communities of Blythe, Brawley, Bermuda Dunes, Calexico, Calipatria, Cathedral City, Coachella, Desert Hot Springs, El Centro, Holtville, Imperial, Indio, Mecca, Oasis, North Shore, Salton Sea, Thermal, Thousand Palms, and Westmorland.
