The Indian Health Service is being accused of failing to cover the medical bills of tribal members who use a county hospital in New Mexico.

The Lincoln County Medical Center provided $6 million in uncompensated care last year. Many patients came from the Mescalero Apache Reservation, the hospital administrator said.

The county hospital receives federal funds, so it can't refuse the Indian patients, officials said. But IHS is refusing to pay their medical bills, they said.

The IHS hospital on the reservation is underfunded, added Mescalero Apache President Mark Chino. He said the hospital receives money based on a service population of 4,400 but that it provides care to 10,000.

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