The Lummi Nation operates an ambulatory direct care facility under a P.L. 93-638, Title III Self-Governance Compact with the IHS. The center offers general comprehensive medical and dental, mental health and substance abuse counseling, WIC, family planning, community health outreach (CHR) and health education. The health program employs three doctors, two dentists, three public health nurses, 1.3 pharmacist, two pharmacy techs, two licensed practical nurses, three certified mental health counselors, six chemical dependency counselors, three registered nurses, a dental hygienist, a nutritionist, and an environmental health specialist. Two psychiatrists and a pediatric dentist are on contract as consultants. Primary care is provided to all direct care eligible Indians. The Lummi Tribal Health Center is AAAHC accredited and bills Medicaid and other third-party payers. A 4900 square foot clinic expansion was completed in 2002. The Clinic had over 35,000 ambulatory visits in FY 2002.
The Lummi Nation is part of the Northwest Washington Service Unit Health Board (NWSUHB) that also includes Upper Skagit, Nooksack and Swinomish. The NWSUHB is a non-profit organization, established in the early 1980’s. The Health Board contracts for sanitation services and diabetic education and outreach under a P.L. 93-638, Title I consortium agreement. Three full-time positions; Sanitarian, Dietetic Dietitian, Diabetic Educator are funded. All three positions provides services two days a week at Lummi. The Sanitarian services include supervision of contaminated waste handling, food handling permits, health inspections of tribal facilities, water quality and sewage management, vector control and solid waste disposal, and other duties as assigned by the tribal health department.
The Tribe’s Contract Health Service Delivery Area (CHSDA) is Whatcom County. The enrolled tribal population is 3,519 and the Indian population living on or near the reservation is 4,800. The active health clinic user population is 4144. The leading causes of death are heart disease, malignant neoplasm, cerebrovascular disease, motor vehicle accidents and digestive diseases.
Services/Programs/Hospitals
In addition to clinic services, the Health Department operates a Wellness and Fitness Center and a Home Care Agency for the Elders. Both operate seven days per week. The Lummi Tribal Health Center Dental Clinic currently offers an array of services. The Hygienist provides dental health screenings and preventative education. The clinic offers a wide variety of dental services which includes fillings, dentures, root canals and minor oral surgeries. The tribe also operates a Safe Home for youth that includes mental health and chemical dependency counseling services.