Indian Health Clinic Permanently Closing Investigators Said Clinic Failing To Meet Terms Of Its Contract

The federal government is permanently closing the Spokane Urban Indian Health Clinic after examining the clinic’s books.

Indian Health Service investigators found no proof that clinic managers intentionally mishandled money, but did determine the clinic was failing to meet the terms of its federal contract.

“I think it’s unfortunate there were problems there,” said James Floyd, IHS director for the regional office in Portland. “They gave it their best shot, but they were unable to maintain commitments.”

Floyd was vague on exactly what the clinic did wrong, declining to detail the problems other than to call them financial.

Efforts to reach clinic officials were unsuccessful.

Paid for mostly with U.S. tax dollars, the clinic at 905 E. Third had a $1 million budget and offered care to 3,000 low-income Native Americans per year.

The clinic shut its doors in early April after it became clear it lacked the cash to continue.

In a prepared statement, the IHS urges the clinic’s patients to finance their health care needs with Medicare, Medicaid and Veteran’s Administration benefits - if eligible.

Floyd said the IHS is studying the needs of Spokane’s urban Indian population.

After the study, the agency plans to craft a new contract for the area and let organizations compete for the chance to fill the void left by the clinic.

Floyd indicated it was unlikely past managers of the Urban Indian Health Clinic could get the contract.

Sources indicated the Spokane clinic closure stemmed from past accounting practices that failed to adequately track where the money went.

The Spokane County District Clinic, 324-1600, is helping urban Native Americans find new medical services in the area.

, DataTimes