Pechanga Tribal Nation

Past News Articles 2009

September 22, 2009

Trahant: Taxing the logic of tribal health benefits

There is near universal agreement: The Indian Health Service needs more money. At the National Indian Health Board Consumer Conference last week several members of the Senate and House were critical of the historic under-funding of IHS. These were Democrats, Republicans, some representing Indian country constituents, others from districts with no reservations and few tribal members. Yet they communicated the same message: The United States made a health care promise to Native Americans and it's wrong to fund a system with substantially less money than what is spent per person on federal prisoners.

The Indian health system's funding is so low that many patients are counted as part of the uninsured population in government data.

The Senate Finance Committee's health reform concept paper put it this way: "The IHS itself has stated that its funding does not allow it to provide all the needed care for eligible Indians. As a result, some services are 'rationed,' with the most critical care given first. ... The reality of this under-funding is that money for contract health services does not last the entire year, forcing IHS to limit services to circumstances involving a 'loss of life or limb' circumstance. This predicament is so common in Indian Country that many tribal members fear that if they need care after June, they will be forced to go without."

The Obama administration at least added 13 percent to its IHS funding request. But it's a small step and neither the Executive Branch nor the Congress has made funding parity a priority or even a proposal.

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September 4, 2009 -- Pechanga Indian Reservation, CA

Pechanga tribe donates $10,000 to fallen firefighters

The Pechanga Band of Luiseño Indians donated $10,000 to help the families of two Los Angeles County firefighters killed in the Station Fire.

Los Angeles County fire Capt. Tedmund Hall, of Oak Hills, and firefighter specialist Arnaldo Quinones, of Palmdale, died Sunday when their vehicle plunged 800 feet off a road into a steep canyon while protecting Camp 16 near Palmdale.

"Our Tribe knows what it is like to lose a family member in the line of duty while serving the public," said Pechanga Tribal Chairman Mark Macarro in a press release. "Pechanga joins all Californians in honoring the courage and sacrifices of these brave men. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families."

A memorial service has been scheduled for Hall and Quinones at 10 a.m. Sept. 12 at Dodger Stadium, 1000 Elysian Park Ave., Los Angeles.

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August 20, 2009 -- Temecula, CA

New, smother Silk to open at Pechanga

Silk nightclub at the Pechanga Resort & Casino near Temecula will be back and rocking tonight. They've refurbished the club, taken steps to ease crowded corners and switched up the music and wardrobe.

Robert Bledsoe, public relations manager for the southwest Riverside County casino, said the new Silk will feature:

A new playlist big on Top 40 tunes. While some hip-hop will still hop, Silk has cut out the gangsta rap and angry stuff.
A new bar and main entrance aimed to make it easier to get in and out, even during peak gaming times.

A new dress code that allows "fashionable jeans and sneakers" but prohibits baggy or sports attire, caps and sandals. What's fashionable? Says Bledsoe: "If you come in looking like a punk, you're not going to get in."

Doors open at 9 p.m. $30 cover charge. Admission and nonalcoholic drinks are free for designated drivers.

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