A Rapid City-based health care clinic for pregnant Native American women has seen a significant drop in patient since April of last year.
The Native Women’s Health Clinic is contracted to provide obstetric and gynecologic services for eligible Indian women.
According to a health care program review by Indian Health Service obtained by SDPB, Native Women’s Health Clinic had about 4,800 visits in 2021. It saw an over 50 percent reduction in visits in 2022. Since last April, the number of visits dropped to zero, due to a lack of providers. That report came out last June.
The Oglala Sioux Tribe holds a contract to operate the clinic through the Indian Self-Determination Act. The tribe is required to monitor the quality of health care provided.
SDPB asked OST Tribal President Frank Star Comes Out whether the clinic has seen any patients since April of last year.
“Right now, due to a lack of funding in these programs, it’s a tough deal,” Star Comes Out said. “We’re addressing that and hopefully we can better that program and fit the needs of our people and the staff.”
According to the most recent agreement between OST and IHS, the tribe receives over $1.5 million to run the Native Women’s Health Care program.
The June IHS report said the clinic has not fulfilled its contractual obligations to provide comprehensive women’s health services, resulting in fragmented prenatal care which has been felt by patients and medical providers in Rapid City.
Officials with Native Women's Health Clinic declined to comment for the story.
Patients are referred to either the Black Hills Pregnancy Center, or Oyate Health Center. The clinic, which is run by OST, is located in a wing of the old Sioux San building, which is managed by Oyate Health Center—a separate tribal entity that provides health care for Native Americans.
Star Comes Out said talk is on the table about letting Oyate Health take over the program.
“It is one of the tribe’s programs,” Star Comes Out said. “I really can’t give you an answer of who is going to lead that charge right now. It’s on the table and it has to go through tribal council.”
According to data from the South Dakota Department of Health, American Indians make up 44 percent of all pregnancy-associated deaths in the state. The rate is four times higher than white women.
