Kristi Noem

The HEALTTH Act (H.R. 5406), proposed by Representative Kristi Noem, is attempting to address long-standing tribal concerns about the IHS.

I must say that we encourage you to pass this legislation, but I implore you do not abandon us after this.

If the committee members would come back, I think that the witnesses have really compelling testimony, and I think it would be beneficial, as this legislation moves forward.

The stories from the Omaha/Winnebago Hospital and other IHS facilities serving the Pine Ridge and Rosebud Reservations sound like scenes from Third World countries, not the American heartland.

I want to thank the subcommittee for having this important hearing on this critical issue. I also want to give particular thanks to Representative Noem for introducing this Act.

We recommend that this subcommittee work with Representative Noem to locate authority that will put IHS' process at the front of the pack, not just a small step ahead.

We thank the subcommittee for having this important hearing on this critical issue.

The IHS has failed to live up to its treaty and trust obligations to furnish healthcare and failed to treat us with respect and decency.

I would also like to thank Representative Noem for her partnership and for focusing attention on the critical needs of health care for Native Americans.

What my legislation does is that it reimburses at Medicare rates.

Well, what created the situation was CMS coming in and saying they would no longer reimburse for services provided in that emergency department because of conditions that were occurring there.

For 7 months the emergency department has been closed.

I think that is why you will see that the bill is drafted as a pilot program for the Great Plains region, because we know that we face a different situation than other regions in the country.

My tribes will tell you that they feel as though no consultation happens and that virtually they are left out of the decisionmaking process.

They are doing it as charity care, sure, they would like to get something.

It certainly will help my tribes receive care for more months out of the year.

The PRC funding formula does not currently work, because my tribes run out of money by June.

It was a dangerous situation.

I have never gotten an answer.

The tribes will testify to you that they believe a lot of the dollars disappear at the regional center in Aberdeen, that it never quite flows down to the people or actually results in delivered health care to the people.

Under our treaty obligations--these are treaty tribes that we need to honor by treating them with the respect they deserve and the health care that we have promised them, and we are failing.

I also want to thank Congresswoman Noem for being here and discussing your bill.

The quality of health care that is being delivered in my tribal communities is third-world health care, and it should not be happening in this country.

Every day that emergency department is closed down and services are diverted, their people are dying.

The thing that has been the most frustrating for me is that, as you will hear in the testimony today of the IHS's Acting Director, they have some criticisms of our bill, which we have been waiting weeks now for more technical assistance.