The Senate Indian Affairs Committee held a hearing this morning as part of its investigation into the Indian Health Service

Sen. Byron Dorgan (D-North Dakota), the committee chairman, launched the investigation on June 24. He said it was based on "years" of complaints about "poor performance and mismanagement" within the Aberdeen Area of the IHS.

"Many of the allegations heard throughout these years were confirmed by the investigation," Dorgan said this morning.

The committee heard from IHS Director Yvette Roubideaux and Aberdeen Area Director Charlene Red Thunder. Both said they were taking steps to improve accountability.

"We have a serious problem within the Aberdeen Area," Roubideaux acknowledged.

The hearing lasted about 90 minutes. Audio can be downloaded below:

• Opening Statements

Panel # 1
• Testimony | Q&A
DR. Yvette Roubideaux
Director, Indian Health Service

Ms. Charlene Red Thunder
Director, Aberdeen Area, Indian Health Service

Mr. Gerald Roy
Deputy Inspector General, Investigations, Office of Inspector General, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Panel # 2
• Testimony | Q&A
Mr. Ron His Horse is Thunder
Executive Director, Great Plains Tribal Chairmen's Health Board

Get the Story:
Report: Indian Health Service hired criminals (AP 9/28)

Committee Hearing:
OVERSIGHT HEARING titled, In Critical Condition: The Urgent Need to Reform Indian Health Service's Aberdeen Area (September 28, 2010)

Related Stories:
Witness list for Senate Indian Affairs Committee hearing into IHS (9/27)
Senate Indian Affairs Committee sets hearing on probe into IHS (9/21)
IHS sends investigator to review concerns at North Dakota clinic (9/14)
Sen. Dorgan threatens subpoena of IHS for ongoing investigation (08/25)
Senate Indian Affairs Committee launches investigation of IHS (06/30)
Agenda for Senate Indian Affairs Committee business meeting (6/29)