Health care of Oklahoma Indians

The many unique aspects of Indian life extend into the health care arena, of special interest in Oklahoma, the "home of the red man." The long historical relationship of certain Indian tribes with the federal government has resulted in one of the most complicated social, administrative, and governmental arrangements anywhere. A consequence of this relationship was, in effect, a business transaction resulting in the ceding of virtually all Indian lands of the U.S. and an assumption by the latter to provide certain services, including health care, to affected tribes. With the 33 different tribes in Oklahoma; the dual entitlement possessed by Indian people; the contributions of the Indian Health Service to the economy of Oklahoma; and the growing revolution in health care, knowledge of the special circumstances of Indian life and health care is important even for practitioners who do not regularly encounter Indian people in their own practices.