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By Chuck Ring (GadaboutBlogalot ©2009 – 2010)
Quote Freely From The Article – Leave The Pseudonym Alone
Why is it that the segment of society with the most potential need turns out the most abused by scam artists and crooks.
We speak of the health care needs in our country and the almost constant barrage of reports telling us of the latest Medicare, Medicaid and other government programs illegally manipulated and dipped into by dishonest health care workers; whether nurses, doctors, clerks or others charged with caring for the ill or just plain unhealthy because of malnutrition or other causes.
The latest scandal has hit the Indian Health Service (IHS) and according to a story appearing in the Associated Press MyWay by Matthew Daly, it is a sordid tale of waste and other abuse:
WASHINGTON (AP) – The federal Indian Health Service has hired convicted criminals, failed to stop employees from stealing narcotics and allowed workers to take paid leave for more than a year while being investigated for misconduct, a federal investigation has found.
The investigation disclosed years of mismanagement that have led to poor patient care, long-term vacancies and other problems at the Aberdeen Area of the Indian Health Service, which includes North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa and Nebraska.
Reports of dangerous prescription drugs and/or narcotics stolen and then sold by employees are not uncommon. In some cases employees convicted in drug cases have been rehired in the very same area in which the crimes were committed:
Sen. Byron Dorgan, D-N.D., the panel’s chairman, said Tuesday that the Aberdeen office “appears to me to be completely dysfunctional.”
Dorgan said he was stunned to learn that the region’s deputy director had been placed on paid leave for undisclosed reasons for more than a year. The official, Shelly R. Harris, has stayed home, at taxpayer expense, while allegations against her are investigated, said Charlene Red Thunder, director of the Aberdeen region.
An IHS spokesman said Harris is paid $125,109 per year. He declined to comment on the allegations against her or say when they may be resolved, citing privacy laws.
Dorgan called the lengthy leave unacceptable and said it was impossible to believe that a private-sector employer would allow such an action. “Not on your life!” he said.
The Aberdeen area IHS has many facilities which can serve as ready targets for any person or group ready to steal from the IHS:
Sen. Byron Dorgan, D-N.D., the panel’s chairman, said Tuesday that the Aberdeen office “appears to me to be completely dysfunctional.”
The Aberdeen office serves more than 100,000 Indians on reservations in North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, and Iowa. The region includes nine hospitals, eight health centers, two school health stations, and several smaller health stations and satellite clinics.
You can read some additional details by clicking here.

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