Madam Chair, my time is up, but it looks to me like what you are giving us is a wake up call about a crisis that is not 10 years from now; it is right now.

99 percent of all the revenue coming into the Federal Government... is going to go back out in two categories: interest on the Federal debt and mandatory payments on entitlements.

We cannot accept failure or complacency, and, as a doctor, I know that quality health care is about putting the patient first.

Senator Thune will take actions to obtain appropriate funding to implement the findings.

Work with us on getting that coordinated.

We need a willing partner at IHS who takes these issues as seriously as I do. As far as I'm concerned, this conversation is far from over.

We do not need IHS to define what that bill means to the tribes. Tribes need to define to them.

This bill, the Indian Health Service Accountability Act, is the critical first step on the road to reform because it targets the issues we believe are at the core of the dysfunction of the Indian Health Service.

Well, thank you, Mr. Chairman, for holding this important hearing in South Dakota, and I want to speak out to the commission and those who are affected most by the Indian Health Services and those are who are part of the communities.

This requires systemic change. You can't fix this by changing the oil and replacing the tires. We need a whole new car.

More taxpayer money won't solve the dysfunction because what IHS lacks is an efficient system and accountability.

Significant and structural changes are needed and this bill boldly steps into that arena as a first attempt to open the dialogue of change.

The audit that Senator Thune has been discussing is essential to that being possible.

$80 million. $80 million, Mr. Chairman, that went for litigation that was taken from patient care in the Great Plains Area.

Chairman Barrasso, one quick follow-up on that point. And I fully appreciate the fact, Secretary Wakefield, that you followed the protocols and whatever the bidding requirements to award that contract, but, my gosh, there has got to be…

The legislation proposed by Chairman Barrasso and Senator John Thune, S. 2953 'The Indian Health Service Accountability Act of 2016', is attempting to address long-standing Tribal concerns about the IHS.

Thune to seek restoration of funding for a FULL FLEDGED EMERGENCY ROOM AT THE WAGNER UNIT, TO PREVENT FURTHER UNTIMELY DEATHS.

We found that the agency is devoid of transparency and openness.