10/19/2024
“A traditional practitioner did prayers for me. They shared some songs with me. They put me in the sweat lodge and I could identify with those ceremonies. And from that day moving forward, I was able to reconnect to my spiritual and cultural upbringing.”
Now, for the first time, Medicaid in California, Medi-Cal, as well as in Arizona, New Mexico and Oregon, is set to cover traditional health practices such as music therapy, sweat lodges, and dancing to help with physical and mental health.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services announced the move this week. It’s a two-year pilot program that applies at Indian Health Service facilities, tribal facilities, and urban Indian organizations.” 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
https://www.npr.org/sections/shots-health-news/2024/10/19/nx-s1-5157931/medicaid-traditional-healing-native-american-tribes?
The new coverage includes practices such as music therapy, sweat lodges, and drumming, which are integral to Native healing traditions and have proved helpful for addiction among other health issues.