Task force works for Diné veterans

By Pamela G. Dempsey
Diné Bureau

WINDOW ROCK — Improving health care services to Navajo veterans isn't easy, but a multi-agency task force is taking steps to accomplish that.

John Hubbard, area director for Navajo Indian Health Service, reported that a coalition of representatives from IHS, the Navajo Division of Health, the Navajo Division of Veterans Affairs, and two Veterans Affairs facilities in Prescott, Ariz. and Albuquerque have joined forces to address the health care issues Navajo veterans face.

"Our intent really is to get a better understanding of what everybody is doing in (terms of Navajo veteran services)," Hubbard said.

The task force has met half a dozen times throughout the past two years to gather information and open communication lines between the agencies that do service veterans.

"The goal as a task force is to improve access to quality health care for veterans," Hubbard said.

Eventually an agreement between the agencies will be established, he said.

But the hardest part is simply trying to figure out how many veterans there are and who uses what facility.

"The Navajo Division of Health estimates there are between 12,000 and 18,000 Navajo veterans," Hubbard said, "but IHS data system counts veterans at less than 6,000."

Establishing a reliable data collection system is one step the task force would like to accomplish on its way to the bigger picture: a health care plan for Navajo veterans.

To do so, two of the tribe's committee's have joined in as well, including The Human Services Committee, which oversees Veteran's Affairs, and Health and Social Services.

"We want to be as inclusive as possible yet have a manageable group," Hubbard said.

IHS, he indicated, is serving as a support role with the Navajo Nation in the driver's seat.

A two-day strategic planning meeting is scheduled for March 21 and 22.