Sen. Mike Rounds: Indian Health Service 'continues to fail in its duty'

Wednesday, July 24, 2019  

The following statement was released by Sen. Mike Rounds (R-South Dakota) in response to a case study from the Office of Inspector General at the Department of Health and Human Services. The report cited substandard care, staffing shortages and management mishaps as contributing to the seven-month closure of an Indian Health Service emergency room that serves the the Rosebud Sioux Tribe.

• CONGRESS.GOV: S.489, the Assessment of the Indian Health Service Act

The OIG report examining the closure and reopening of the Rosebud Hospital Emergency Department underscores the need for a comprehensive assessment of IHS.

While the report’s findings are disappointing, they are not surprising. For years, I have pushed for a comprehensive assessment of the agency because we’ve heard countless stories from tribal members about the horrors of receiving treatment at an IHS facility.

This year, I again introduced legislation [S.489] to require an assessment of IHS, and I will pursue all avenues to make sure the IHS is held accountable for its shortcomings. This week’s OIG report proves that the IHS has not made significant efforts to improve its facilities or the care it delivers to tribal members.

IHS has a trust and treaty responsibility to provide proper health care to tribal members and it continues to fail in its duty.

By evaluating and analyzing the systemic problems at IHS, we will be able to fully understand the needs of the agency and, in consultation with the tribes, work toward long-term solutions that will benefit those who use IHS for their health care.

Case Study: Indian Health Service Management of Rosebud Hospital Emergency Department Closure and Reopening (July 17, 2019)

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Native Sun News Today: Indian Health Service lays off 50 at troubled hospital (June 13, 2019)
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Ernestine Chasing Hawk: 'Low-life bullies' attack my reporting on Indian hospital (April 3, 2019)
Sen. Mike Rounds: Indian Health Service fails its trust and treaty obligations (February 22, 2019)
Native Sun News Today: Indian Health Service rejects tribal takeover of hospital (February 14, 2019)
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Ernestine Chasing Hawk: An appreciation for the Indian Health Service (January 14, 2019)
Native Sun News Today: Tribes won't manage troubled Indian Health Service hospital (January 7, 2019)
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Native Sun News Today: Indian Health Service rejects move of urban hospital (December 13, 2018)
Native Sun News Today: Urban Indians protest tribal takeover of hospital (December 12, 2018)
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Native Sun News Today: Tribes discuss takeover of troubled hospital (November 13, 2018)
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Tribes prepare for takeover of troubled Indian Health Service hospital (April 23, 2018)
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Sen. Rounds seeking support for audit into Indian Health Service (5/12)
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Mary Smith: Bringing more accountability to Indian Health Service (03/09)
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IHS facility on Rosebud Sioux Reservation loses key certification (03/03)
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Editorial: Quality of Indian Health Service is a scandal in Montana (02/29)
Mike Myers: Exposing problems at the Indian Homicide Service (02/25)
Rosebud Sioux Tribe frustrated by treatment from HHS agencies (02/17)
Another IHS hospital threatened with loss of Medicare funding (02/16)
Brandon Ecoffey: Treaties guaranteed health care for our people (02/11)
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President Obama seeks another increase for Indian Health Service budget (02/10)
Kristi Noem: Indian Health Service remains in a state of emergency (02/10)
Tribal leaders question management changes at IHS in Great Plains (February 4, 2016)
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