May 25 2017
Noem Introduces IHS Bill
KELOLAND
Comparing health care on Native American reservations to that of third-world countries, Congresswoman Kristi Noem is sponsoring a bill she says will improve services in Indian Country.Noem says provisions in the bill will make a federal agency, Indian Health Service, more transparent and accountable.
"There's going to be whistle-blower protections built in, and also provisions that will clearly state that IHS employees will report directly to members of Congress so that we'll have much more openness and dialogue as we go forward with some of these reforms," Noem said.
The bill also requires Indian Health Service to set standards for wait times and requires employees to learn Native American culture.
A similar version of the bill is also in the Senate.