Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), left, and Sen. Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) serve as vice chair and chair, respectively, of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs. Photo: SCIA
For Immediate Release
September 21, 2022
SCHATZ, MURKOWSKI: SENATE CONFIRMS ROSELYN TSO AS INDIAN HEALTH SERVICE DIRECTOR
WASHINGTON — Today, U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i), chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, and U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), vice chairman of the Committee, released the following statements on Roselyn Tso’s confirmation as Director of the Indian Health Service (IHS) at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
“Dedicated, long-serving leadership at the Indian Health Service is vital to fulfilling its mission,” said Chairman Schatz. “I’m confident that Ms. Tso will lead the Service with distinction, having the qualifications, willingness to serve Indian Country, and commitment to educating other HHS agencies on the federal government’s special political and trust relationship with the Native Hawaiians, who also receive healthcare services through HHS.”
“Ms. Tso has demonstrated that she has the background and experience needed to succeed as the Director of the Indian Health Service. I congratulate Ms. Tso on her unanimous confirmation in the Senate. I am confident she will work to ensure IHS fulfills its mission to raise the health status of American Indians and Alaska Natives across the country by providing top notch quality health care. Native people deserve nothing less.” said Vice Chairman Murkowski.
The IHS director is the Department’s most senior, Senate confirmed, federal official in Native health charged with developing IHS healthcare policy, respecting Tribal sovereignty, and promoting Tribal self-determination to fulfill IHS’s mission to improve health outcomes in Indian Country. Schatz and Murkowski led committee passage of Tso’s nomination in July.