The Crow/Northern Cheyenne Hospital in Crow Agency, Montana. Photo from IHS

The Senate Indian Affairs Committee will hold a field hearing on the Indian Health Service next week.

The hearing takes place May 27 at the Billings Public Library in Billings, Montana. IHS Acting Director Yvette Roubideaux is expected to testify.

The Billings Area of the IHS has been hit with a number of complaints from tribes who say the level and quality of care has suffered in recent years. The director of the office resigned after just 18 months on the job, saying it was virtually impossible to implement reforms.

Sen. Jon Tester (D-Montana), the chairman of the committee, has asked the Government Accountability Office to investigate the Billings Area, which oversees facilities in Montana and Wyoming.

Committee Notice:
Oversight Hearing on "The Indian Health Service: Ensuring the IHS is Living Up to Its Trust Responsibility." (May 27, 2014)

Relevant Documents:
Crow Tribe Press Release | Crow Legislature Resolution

Related Stories:
Editorial: Scrutiny needed for Indian Health Service in Montana (05/08)
Lawmakers request GAO investigation of IHS office in Montana (5/5)