Four states approve Medicaid coverage for tribal traditional healing

Traditional tribal healing practices are now eligible for Medicaid coverage in Arizona, California, New Mexico and Oregon under new federal waivers, according to Stateline. The programs allow tribal and urban Indian health facilities to bill for traditional healing services such as sweat lodge ceremonies, talking circles and plant medicine.

Virginia Hedrick, executive director of the California Consortium for Urban Indian Health, said each tribe and facility will decide which services to offer, noting they can take place at sacred sites rather than clinics. Dr. Naomi Young of the Fort Defiance Indian Hospital Board called the integration of traditional and Western medicine “exciting.” In Washington, state officials plan to apply for similar approval by the end of the year.