Kristi Noem

IHS has been shamefully underfunded for years, and the President's proposed FY2018 budget looks to cut another $59 million.

To amend the Indian Health Care Improvement Act to improve the recruitment and retention of employees in the Indian Health Service, restore accountability in the Indian Health Service, improve health services, and for other purposes

Letter from Chairman William Bear Shield, Rosebud Sioux Tribe to the Hon. Kristi Noem dated June 20, 2017.

If this country doesn't feed ourselves, then we're dependent on another country, then they control us

For me, I am from South Dakota and a small business owner, and I don't know if the same program would work for South Dakota that would work in New York or California or Florida or Illinois.

We appreciate Rep. Noem's initiative to take action in response to failures in the provision of health care in the Great Plains area.

IHS must meet the same quality, safety, and operational standards as all other hospitals.

We believe this would work well for holding IHS accountable to its consultation requirements.

Representative Noem recently introduced H.R. 5437 to implement such a program, and we suggest that the provisions of H.R. 5437 be incorporated into H.R. 5406 to require random drug testing not just for IHS management, but for all IHS…

I want to pass a bill that fixes problems and that everybody can get behind and recognize is a huge change.

I know we don't move as fast as people would like.

We appreciate Rep. Noem and the subcommittee's efforts to address the systemic issues which have persisted in the Great Plains region.

The Oglala Sioux Tribe thanks Chairman Young, Ranking Member Ruiz, members of the subcommittee and, in particular, Representative Noem for their leadership on this issue.

How can I trust them with the safety and care of the 122,000 tribal members in the Great Plains?

What happened yesterday is yesterday. What is going to happen tomorrow is what we have a role in trying to do.

I like the idea of a business platform, run it right. I don't believe it has been run right.

That is how crazy that thing is. That is another bill that I need your help getting done, too, that is devastating.

The bill that Mr. Bear Shield was talking about is one that penalizes tribal businesses for not complying with the Obamacare mandate, which our tribal businesses should not be bound to.

Unfortunately, for years we have watched this revolving door happen. And you may not be here long-term.

We are asking for the same provisions that the VA has recently received and changes that.

I have not heard of a single person being fired from IHS because of the poor care that has been delivered in the facilities in the Great Plains region.

Will you commit to join me in asking for the HHS Inspector General to investigate those nine deaths?

I believe that it should be done by an unbiased entity like the HHS Inspector General.

The National Indian Health Board does support Congresswoman Noem's legislation, and we look forward to working with her.

Neither the Winnebago Tribe, nor I, will stand idle as Indian Health Service kills our people, patient by patient.