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Committee hears bill to let Medicaid pay for traditional Indigenous healing practices
Summary
The House Health Finance and Policy Committee heard testimony on House File 1878 to allow payment for traditional healing services through Medicaid, with advocates urging use of Section 1115 authority and witnesses describing clinical and community benefits. The bill was laid over for possible inclusion in an omnibus bill.
Representative Keeler introduced House File 18 78, a proposal to allow Medicaid reimbursement for traditional Indigenous healing services, and the bill was laid over for possible inclusion in an omnibus bill.
Advocates and clinical leaders told the committee that traditional healing is already practiced in urban Indian health settings and that formal payment would expand access. "This is for just traditional healing, through the Medicaid services system," Representative Keeler said, adding that the proposal is “not a new idea” and that other states have adopted similar approaches.
Dr. Patrick Rock, a family physician and CEO of the Indian…
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