Sen. Tim Johnson (D-South Dakota) said he will try to secure more funds for urban Indian health programs.

Johnson praised the work of the South Dakota Urban Indian Health during a tour on Monday. The clinic is one of 34 urban Indian facilities across the nation.

"The clinics deserve more money but they are doing as best they can, and I don’t see that there is more money to be forthcoming from Congress,” said Johnson, the Associated Press reported. “But we should do better by the Indian people, and the search will be on for more money.”

The non-profit Urban Indian Health Center operates three clinics in South Dakota. The group sees 7,400 patients a year.

In related news, Sanford Health has received a $7 million grant to address health disparities among Native Americans.

Get the Story:
Improving Native American Health Care in South Dakota (KSFY-TV 10/11)
Sen. Johnson Visits Indian Health Clinic (KELO-TV 10/11)
Senator tours Urban Indian Health Center (The Sioux Falls Argus Leader 10/12)
Urban Indian health clinics work to fight diabetes (AP 10/12)
$7M grant devoted to Native health (The Sioux Falls Argus Leader 10/12)