Why It Matters
North Dakota tribal chairs told U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. that locally controlled healthcare requires additional federal resources. They connected healthcare access with public safety, housing, education, addiction treatment, employment, and economic opportunity.
What Happened
Kennedy visited North Dakota Thursday with Doug Burgum, John Hoeven, Kevin Cramer, and Julie Fedorchak. During the visit, tribal leaders described workforce shortages at existing healthcare facilities and said recruited professionals sometimes lack housing.
Garret Renville said the Indian Health Service needs to be redesigned to better support tribal healthcare systems. Kennedy supported an overhaul of the agency and told tribal leaders that federal officials would hear their needs.
“We need you to tell us what you need, and we are going to deliver it,” Kennedy said.
Leaders also identified addiction recovery, substance abuse treatment, and mental health services as continuing needs. The MHA Nation operates the Good Road Recovery Center, while the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa has operated an addiction recovery facility for a little more than a year.
Chris Parisien said Native Americans’ life expectancy is lower than that of other North Dakotans because of inadequate access to preventive medical care. Mark Fox said federal programs serving Indian Country have not resolved existing problems.
Lonna Street, chair of the Spirit Lake Nation, said the request extends beyond healthcare funding.
“We are not simply asking for the healthcare funding. We are advocating for the health and the dignity and the safety of the future of our Native nations,” Street said.
Steve Sitting Bear said the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe has created initiatives involving economic development, public safety, and housing. Tribal leaders also linked healthcare concerns to diabetes, drug crime, unsolved cases involving missing and murdered Indigenous people, jobs, and unemployment.
By the Numbers
$8 billion — Indian Health Service budget
$50 billion annually — estimated Indian Health Service funding need
20% lower — Native American life expectancy compared with other North Dakotans
A little more than a year — operating period of the Turtle Mountain addiction recovery facility
Nearly two years — period since Kennedy was confirmed as secretary
Zoom Out
Kennedy said his agency had recorded accomplishments for tribal communities since his confirmation and that he wanted to address wrongs committed against Native Americans by the U.S. government.
What’s Next
Tribal leaders are seeking federal support for healthcare systems and related services designed and operated locally. Kennedy said federal officials would use tribal leaders’ stated needs in addressing the Indian Health Service.