Jes Abeita

Health care concerns voiced

Greg Ortiz, former governor of Acoma Pueblo, said he is not happy with the American-Indian health care system in Albuquerque. "My family's been here (in Albuquerque) for decades, and they have to drive to Acoma sick," he said. Ortiz spoke Monday at a meeting of the Native Health Council of New Mexico that addressed the Albuquerque Indian Health Services' Contract Health Services Program. Some audience members said they were frustrated with the system. Vietnam veteran Albert Cata was one of them. "It's a crazy game we've got to play," he said. The meeting was the second in a series of gatherings put together by the council. The council was formed to address the health care needs of Albuquerque's American-Indian population, which is estimated at more than 45,000, said Roxane Spruce Bly, who helped organize the event. American Indians living in the city must navigate the contract health process in order to access many needed medical services, she said.