Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson said he will stay with the Bush administration through the 2004 election. He said he would resign by January 2006 if the president is re-elected. Thompson has presided over a consolidation and reorganization at HHS. Tribes said the changes would hamper their ability to enter into self-determination and self-governance agreements to take over federal services. The changes also impact Indian preference. Although officials said the positions would retain their status, several dozen human resources employees are being moved out of the Indian Health Service (IHS). Dr. Charles Grim, a member of the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma, is the IHS director. Get the Story:
Secretary to Leave Before Drug Benefit Begins (The New York Times 12/10)
Username: indianzcom, Password: indianzcom Relevant Links:
Indian Health Service - http://www.ihs.gov
Department of Health and Human Services - http://www.hhs.gov
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