{"id":234775,"date":"2025-09-22T21:18:05","date_gmt":"2025-09-23T02:18:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/?p=234775"},"modified":"2025-09-22T21:18:05","modified_gmt":"2025-09-23T02:18:05","slug":"press-release-indian-health-service-sees-influx-of-health-care-officers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/2025\/09\/22\/press-release-indian-health-service-sees-influx-of-health-care-officers\/","title":{"rendered":"Press Release: Indian Health Service sees influx of health care officers"},"content":{"rendered":"
HHS Dispatches More Than 70 Public Health Service Officers to Strengthen Care in Tribal Communities<\/div>\r\n
Monday, September 22, 2025<\/div>\r\n
Indianz.Com<\/div>\r\n

<\/p>\r\nThe following is the text of a September 22, 2025, press release from the Department of Health and Human Services<\/a>.<\/em>\r\n

<\/p>\r\nWASHINGTON — SEPTEMBER 22, 2025 — The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) today announced the mobilization of more than 70 Public Health Service officers from the U.S. Public Health Service (USPHS) Commissioned Corps<\/a> to Indian Health Service (IHS) facilities across the country. This action delivers on Secretary Kennedy\u2019s promise to strengthen the IHS, revitalize tribal health care, and ensure Native communities receive the high-quality medical support they deserve.\r\n\r\n

<\/p>\r\nPublic Health Service officers, drawn from both leadership and frontline ranks, will be detailed to priority IHS sites identified as facing the most urgent staffing shortages. Senior Public Health Service officers will be detailed to strengthen leadership and operations, while additional officers will address the most urgent frontline staffing needs at IHS facilities. Today\u2019s announcement represents one of the largest single details of Public Health Service officers to the IHS in recent years and underscores the Trump Administration\u2019s commitment to improving health outcomes in Indian Country.\r\n\r\n

<\/p>\r\n\r\n\u201cFor too long, tribal communities have gone without the care they deserve,\u201d said HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. \u201cWith vacancy rates above 30%, this mobilizationtakes bold action to close gaps and deliver timely, quality care to Native families. By working hand-in-hand with Tribal leaders, providers, and families, we are restoring trust and driving the mission to Make America Healthy Again\u2014starting in Indian Country.\u201d\r\n\r\n

<\/p>\r\n\r\n\u201cMobilizing Public Health Service officers to IHS facilities allows us to better meet the health needs of our tribal communities,\u201d said IHS Acting Director Benjamin Smith.\u201cBy complementing our existing teams, we will work together to expand access to preventive care, improve chronic disease management, and advance overall wellness across Indian Country.\u201d\r\n\r\n

<\/p>\r\n\r\n\u201cOur Public Health Service officers do incredible work on the front lines, bringing expertise, dedication, and leadership across the country,\u201d said Acting Assistant Secretary for Health & Head of the United States Public Health Service Commissioned Corps Dr. Dorothy Fink. \u201cTheir efforts will ensure Tribal communities receive timely, high-quality, and culturally responsive care. This mobilization is a testament to the skill and commitment of our officers and their vital role in strengthening public health across Indian Country.\u201d\r\n\r\n

<\/p>\r\n\r\nThe IHS serves approximately 2.7 million American Indians and Alaska Natives across 574 federally recognized Tribes. Staffing shortages have long undermined its ability to meet demand, leaving patients without consistent access to care.\r\n\r\n

<\/p>\r\n\r\nHHS has worked closely with Congressional members on this action, including:

<\/p>\r\n\r\n

<\/p>\r\n\r\nSenator Kevin Cramer (R-ND): \u201cAdding a physician to the Turtle Mountain Service Unit from the US Public Health Commissioned Corps is great news for the entire area. It immediately increases access to care, workforce capacity, and strengthens our commitment to meeting the health challenges in Indian country.\u201d \r\n

<\/p>\r\nSenator Steve Daines (R-MT): \u201cMontana is home to 12 federally recognized tribes, and supporting our tribal communities is a top priority for the Treasure State. I applaud this action by President Trump and Secretary Kennedy to support IHS facilities in Crow Agency and Browning, so that Montanans living on our reservations have access to high-quality medical care and services they deserve.\u201d \r\n\r\n\r\n

<\/p>\r\nSenator John Hoeven (R-ND): \u201cWe appreciate HHS deploying public health care officers, including a physician to Turtle Mountain, to help improve access to vital health care services in tribal communities,\u201d said Senator John Hoeven. \u201cHaving an additional physician at Turtle Mountain will help individuals in the Belcourt area to access better, more timely care.\u201d \r\n\r\n\r\n

<\/p>\r\nRep. Troy Downing (R-MT): \u201cStrengthening access to high-quality healthcare for Montana\u2019s tribal communities is vitally important, and the Indian Health Service plays a key role in meeting their needs. I applaud HHS for recognizing this and deploying additional personnel to the Crow Service Unit so that my constituents in Indian Country have the resources to improve health outcomes.\u201d \r\n\r\n\r\n

<\/p>\r\nRep. Paul Gosar (R-AZ): \u201cThese dedicated officers bring critical expertise that will strengthen operations, improve patient care, and ensure tribal communities receive the timely and quality health services they deserve. This action reflects the Trump Administration\u2019s firm commitment to addressing longstanding health disparities in Indian Country.\u201d \r\n\r\n\r\n

<\/p>\r\nRep. Dusty Johnson (R-SD): \u201cI\u2019m grateful for HHS\u2019s assistance \u2013 there are nursing shortages across America, especially in rural America, and especially on reservations. The United States government must uphold its trust and treaty obligations. I\u2019ve been calling for IHS reforms for years to improve the patient experience, and HHS\u2019s help will go a long way to ensure tribal members can access care.\u201d \r\n\r\n\r\n

<\/p>\r\nRep. Adrian Smith (R-NE): \u201cI am pleased to see the Trump administration take meaningful action to support regional healthcare efforts. Patients from northern Nebraska who receive care from IHS facilities on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation will benefit from this significant increase in staffing.\u201d \r\n\r\n

<\/p>\r\nRep. Eli Crane (R-AZ): \u201cI applaud this announcement by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, which will strengthen healthcare for tribal citizens. By sending nurses, a medical technologist, and other professionals to AZ-02, these IHS facilities will receive much-needed support. We are grateful for this decision to invest in rural and tribal communities that are all too often overlooked.\u201d \r\n\r\n

<\/p>\r\nThis detail of Public Health Service officers is part of a broader HHS initiative to reduce critical staffing shortages at IHS facilities, strengthen leadership in underserved locations, and deliver culturally competent, community-centered care in partnership with Tribal Nations. \r\n\r\n

<\/p>\r\nAbout the U.S. Public Health Service (USPHS) Commissioned Corps
\r\nThe USPHS Commissioned Corps is one of the nation\u2019s eight uniformed services and is dedicated to protecting, promoting, and advancing the health and safety of the American people. More than 5,000 highly trained public health professionals\u2014including physicians, nurses, pharmacists, engineers, and scientists\u2014serve on the front lines of the nation\u2019s health challenges. Public Health Service officers respond to natural disasters, public health emergencies, and urgent medical needs, providing expertise and care wherever it is needed most.

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