Second hearing scheduled on bill to reform the Indian Health Service

Friday, June 16, 2017  

Efforts to reform the Indian Health Service continue to see attention on Capitol Hill.

The House Subcommittee on Indian, Insular and Alaska Native Affairs is meeting next week to take testimony on H.R. 2662, the Restoring Accountability in the Indian Health Service Act. The bill seeks to address long-standing management, employment and oversight issues at the agency.

“Babies have been born on bathroom floors and with no doctor present,” Rep. Kristi Noem (R-South Dakota), who introduced the bill on May 25, wrote in an opinion piece. “Surgical equipment has been washed by hand. Staff have interacted with patients even though their certifications have lapsed.”

The Senate Committee on Indian Affairs took testimony on S.1250, a companion version of the bill, on Tuesday. Although both measures are being pushed by Republicans, the Trump administration has not said outright whether it supports or opposes their efforts.

The hearing on H.R. 2662 takes place at 2pm on Wednesday, June 21, in Room 1324 of the Longworth House Office Building. A witness list hasn't been posted online.

House Subcommittee on Indian, Insular and Alaska Native Affairs Notice:
Legislative Hearing on H.R. 2662. "Restoring Accountability in the Indian Health Service Act of 2017" (June 21, 2017)

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