Marketplace Morning Report Why government shutdowns hit tribes especially hard
Oct 10, 2025
The impact of government shutdowns on tribal nations is highlighted, revealing severe disruptions to health services and food aid. Experts explain the federal trust responsibility that exacerbates these challenges. Meanwhile, a Las Vegas waiter shares firsthand experiences of an economic slowdown, detailing canceled conventions and reduced tips. He reflects on how immigration crackdowns affect families and the local workforce, leading to abandoned properties and decreased spending. The interconnectedness of these issues paints a vivid picture of struggle amid changing economic landscapes.
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Shutdowns Hit Tribal Services Disproportionately
- Federal shutdowns disrupt services in tribal communities because the U.S. has a treaty and trust responsibility to provide them funding and services.
- That legal relationship makes shutdowns disproportionately harmful to Indian Country compared with other communities.
Clinics Can't Bill Medicare For Telehealth
- Liz Malerba says tribal clinic directors are blocked from billing Medicare for telehealth during the shutdown, forcing some clinics to suspend services.
- Some tribes can float payments and hope for reimbursement while others simply stop serving patients.
Tribes Keep Contingency Plans For Shutdowns
- Tribal programs keep contingency plans because funding impasses have become frequent.
- Matthew Fletcher and others argue tribal funding should be insulated from these recurring political shutdowns.