The Senate Indian Affairs Committee will vote this Thursday on the nomination of Yvette Roubideaux to be director of the Indian Health Service, Sen. Byron Dorgan (D-North Dakota) said on Monday.

Roubideaux, a member of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe of South Dakota, is expected to win approval, Dorgan said. Her nomination will then move to the Senate floor for final consideration.

If confirmed, Roubideaux would be the first Native woman to lead the IHS. Last week, she testified that her priorities would be to strengthen partnerships with tribes, reform the agency, improve quality and access to health care and ensure the agency is transparent, accountable and fair to patients.

Committee Hearing:
HEARING on the nomination of Yvette Roubideaux to be Director of the Indian Health Service, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (April 23, 2009)

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