Tulalip Tribes move pharmacy over IHS shortfalls

Wednesday, March 7, 2007  

The Tulalip Tribes will be moving its pharmacy out of the Indian Health Service clinic in order to limit prescription drugs to tribal members

Since the pharmacy was part of the IHS, it was required to fill prescriptions for all Native Americans free of charge. Due to shortfalls in federal funding, that cost the tribe about $800,000 a year.

To make up for the cost, the tribe will relocate the pharmacy to its Quil Ceda Village. Tribal members will continue to receive free prescription drugs, but other Native Americans, as well as the general public, will have to pay in full or rely on their insurance.

Since 1993, the Tulalip Tribes have been receiving $3.8 million a year from the IHS, an amount based on a population of 1,600. Although the tribal population has grown, federal funding has not increased.

Get the Story:
Tulalips to move pharmacy to limit who gets free drugs (The Everett Herald 3/7)

Supreme Court Decision Cherokee Nation v. Leavitt:
Sylalbus | Opinion [Breyer] | Concurrence [Scalia]

Relevant Links:
Contract Support Cost Litigation - http://www.cscclass.net
NCAI Contract Support - http://www.ncai.org/Contract_Support.36.0.html
Indian Health Service, Phoenix Area - http://www.ihs.gov/FacilitiesServices/AreaOffices/Phoenix

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