House committee considers bill to reform Indian Health Service

A tribally-supported bill to reform the troubled Indian Health Service is taking a step forward on Capitol Hill.

The powerful House Committee on Ways and Means is set to advance the H.R.5406, the Helping Ensure Accountability, Leadership, and Trust in Tribal Healthcare Act (HEALTTH Act). The bill will be considered at a markup session in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday afternoon.

Rep. Kristi Noem (R-South Dakota) introduced the HEALTTH Act in response to a series of crises in the Great Plains Area, a region that includes Nebraska and South Dakota. The bill ensures that tribes are consulted about decisions that affect their communities and it includes provisions to address employee recruitment, hiring and discipline policies.

http://www.indianz.com/News/2016/09/14/house-committee-considers-bill-to-reform.asp