Recent Press Releases

ICYMI: South Dakota’s Coverage of Thune’s Comprehensive IHS Reform Bill

“Sen. John Thune is taking action … he will continue to consult with tribes both in his home state and elsewhere to continue making improvements.” – The Mitchell Daily Republic

May 26, 2016

WASHINGTON — 

Last week, U.S. Sens. John Thune (R-S.D.) and John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, introduced the IHS Accountability Act of 2016, comprehensive legislation that would address the systemic failures at IHS by increasing transparency and accountability at the agency. 

Sen. Thune is taking action … he will continue to consult with tribes both in his home state and elsewhere to continue making improvements.” – The Mitchell Daily Republic (“Sen. Thune pushes for IHS accountability,” 05/24/16) 

“South Dakota Senator John Thune is still pushing for reform of the Indian Health Service. The bulk of Thune’s weekly call with reporters Wednesday revolved around the IHS Accountability Act …” – KEVN (“Thune still pushing for Indian Health Service reform,” 05/25/16)

There’s a new effort on Capitol Hill to try to improve the embattled Indian Health Service. Senator John Thune of South Dakota and Senator John Barrasso of Wyoming, chairman of the Committee on Indian Affairs, today introduced a bill to mandate changes. It’s called the IHS Accountability Act.” – KOTA Territory News (“IHS Accountability Act floated in the Senate,” 05/19/16)

“On the Senate floor, Thune called for an overhaul of the Indian Health Service, the federal agency responsible for providing care to Native American and Native Alaskan people, and denounced the agency for its failures at all three South Dakota hospitals.” – Argus Leader (“Thune: Government failing treaty requirement to tribes,” 05/24/16)

“U.S. congressional leaders are demanding major changes for the Indian Health Service across the Northern Plains, including right here in South Dakota.” – KSFY (“Thune and Barrasso introduce comprehensive bill to reform the Indian Health Service,” 05/19/16)

“U.S. Sen. John Thune has presented a measure to overhaul the network of government-run hospitals that provides care to Native Americans on and off reservations … The proposed measure comes after serious quality-of-care deficiencies were found in recent months at three of the government-run hospitals in South Dakota.” – Associated Press (“Thune presents bill to overhaul hospitals on reservations,” 05/24/16)

“U.S. Senator Thune has legislation in Congress aimed at comprehensive reform for federal health services for Native Americans. He says the bill makes it easier to fire ineffective IHS leaders, examines whistle-blower protections, and requires fiscal accountability so patient care funds actually make it to patients.” – South Dakota Public Broadcasting (“Lawmakers Consider Indian Health Reforms,” (05/25/16)

“U.S. Senator John Thune says a binding treaty to provide health care to tribal members has failed in South Dakota. So he’s introducing a new bill in Congress that will hold Indian Health Care Services more accountable … Thus, the IHS Accountability Act of 2016 was created; and just like it sounds, it will hold the agency more accountable when it comes to providing health care.” – KDLT (“New Bill Created To Increase IHS Accountability,” 05/24/16)

“It’s been a long fight against Indian Health Services to provide quality health care in the Great Plains area … U.S. Senator John Thune delivered a speech before the Senate Tuesday, promising accountability for the tribal health care crisis and saying changes must take place at the core of the Indian Health Services.” – KNBN (“Thune calls for greater action, more accountability at IHS,” 05/24/16)

“The congressional push to find a remedy to the Native American health care crisis is coming to South Dakota. The U.S. Senate’s Indian Affairs Committee will hold a hearing in June in South Dakota as part of an effort to make Indian Health Service more accountable.” – KELO (“Thune: Senate Committee To Hold IHS Hearing in South Dakota,” 05/25/16)