I applaud IHS for the strides it has made since the first high risk hearing last May, but despite this progress, since then, two more federally-operated IHS facilities are reportedly at risk of losing their CMS accreditation. I am deeply…

I know IHS faces an uphill battle when it comes to the age of its facilities.

However, including Indian programs on the GAO High Risk list confirms what many in Indian Country have reported to this Committee; we must do better.

IHS is taking a comprehensive and integrated approach towards creating an oversight capability at headquarters to improve the quality of care and patient safety.

Year after year, tribal communities report gaps in Federal programs.

I would agree with you wholeheartedly, with the exception of one issue. To have that world exist, we actually have to have the infrastructure to be able to access telemedicine and virtual medicine in those rural areas.

We must focus on actions that can actually bend the cost curve, like investing in preventive care, using the government's purchasing power to lower drug prices, and paying for quality of care rather than quantity.

I think that is an area of commonality here, that I hear, that transparency is key to people making good decisions.

I am worried that HSAs, an idea that has merit for some well-off consumers, are being twisted into a quick fix that will only exacerbate the challenges in New Mexico such as our ongoing fight against the opioid epidemic.

thank you, Senator Heinrich, for your leadership in working to repeal the tax.

I am looking forward to today's discussion on health savings accounts.

But focusing on HSAs while avoiding an honest conversation about the key drivers of health care costs could have real negative impacts on real people who are simply trying to manage an illness or care for a sick loved one.

For every time I hear about HSAs, I hear ten times about premium inflation, obviously, and premiums are projected to increase by about 15 percent next year, at least according to CBO.

I can assure you, my constituents do not.

As stewards of the American economy, we need to be careful.

HSAs are premised on a consumer's ability to shop around for the best value.

I mean, they are really captive of whatever infrastructure is left in rural America.

I have yet to hear somebody say, you know, I got into a high-deductible health plan, and I'm making more money as a result of it.