Health Care Provider Services
Some historical differences in health care relate to geographic locations. Ameri- can Indians living in the eastern part of this country and in most urban areas are not covered by the services of the Indian Health Service, services that are available to American Indians living on reservations in the West. In 1923, tribal government—under the control of the Bureau of Indian Affairs—was begun by the Navajos, who established treaties with the U.S. government, but in the areas of health and education the United States did not honor these treaties. Health services on the reservations were inadequate. Consequently, the people were sent to outside institutions for the treatment of illnesses, such as tuber- culosis and mental health problems. As recently as 1930, the vast Navajo lands had only 7 hospitals with 25 beds each. Not until 1955 were American Indians finally offered concentrated services with modern physicians. Only since 1965 have more comprehensive services been available to the Navajos.
■ The Indian Health Service The IHS is an agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Ser- vices. It is responsible for providing federal health services to American Indians and Alaska Natives. The provision of health services to members of federally