The Yankton Sioux Tribe of South Dakota will get to keep its emergency room, at least until the end of September, thanks to the state's Congressional delegation.

The Indian Health Service was going to eliminate overnight and Sunday hours at the emergency room. But the agency agreed to conduct another study at the request of Sen. Tim Johnson (D), Sen. John Thune (R) and Rep Stephanie Herseth (D).

Tribal members say the closure of the emergency room will cost lives because fewer people will seek services at the local non-Indian hospital.

The tribe had filed a lawsuit on Monday to keep the ER services but withdrew it yesterday after the IHS agreed to the extension..

Get the Story:
Wagner ER Survives Another Deadline (AP 2/1)
Indian Health Service ER gets reprieve (The Sioux Falls Argus Leader 2/1)

Relevant Links:
Indian Health Service - http://www.ihs.gov

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