Representatives from the Reno-Sparks Indian Colony Tribal Health Center and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services this week urged a Senate committee to approve legislation to help hire and retain health care workers. Indian Health Service (IHS) Facility.
of IHS Workforce Equalization Act, The bill, co-sponsored by Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto, a Nevada Democrat, and Sen. Markwayne Millen, an Oklahoma Republican, would allow health care providers who work part-time to access IHS scholarships and loan repayment programs. That's what you do.
This bill would expand the IHS program to National Health Service Corps (NHSC) Loan and scholarship programs allow U.S. students pursuing careers in the medical fields to cover their educational costs, so long as they are committed to providing health care in areas where there is a shortage of health care workers. Recruitment activities will be supported.
“This legislative change creates parity between the IHS and NHSC programs, allowing IHS to better utilize these tools to recruit and retain key professionals in a competitive environment. .” HHS Assistant Secretary Egolin said at the hearing.
The IHS national provider vacancy rate is 25%, but the vacancy rate for rural and remote tribal clinics in Nevada can reach 50%, says the Reno-Sparks Indian Colony Tribal Health Center. Executive Director Angie Wilson said. told the Senate Indian Affairs Committee. at a public hearing this week.
Wilson said many IHS facilities do not have full-time health care providers and the current requirement for health professionals to work full time to access grants and loan repayment benefits is a barrier. He said that
Understaffing at IHS facilities is worsening health outcomes for tribal communities in areas such as diabetes, cirrhosis, chronic lung disease and behavioral health needs, Wilson said.
By failing to address personnel shortages, the United States is also failing in its responsibilities. Trust in your responsibility to ensure health care the needs of indigenous communities;
A fiduciary responsibility is a legal agreement between Native American tribes and the federal government under which the U.S. government protects tribal treaty rights, lands, and resources, including support for self-government. “Legal authorization and adequate funding.”
“The health outcomes of the Indian people should be a report card of how well fiduciary responsibilities are being upheld,” she said in her testimony.
