Contact: Todd Deutsch, 202-224-9921

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Heidi Heitkamp today pressed Indian Health Service (IHS) Acting Director Dr. Yvette Roubideaux to continue addressing health care needs on North Dakota reservations and across the United States. At a hearing to consider the nomination of Roubideaux to head IHS, Heitkamp questioned her about the reforms made to IHS' Aberdeen Area Office, Native American suicide and several other issues with the delivery of health care to those in Indian Country. 

“There is a health care crisis in Indian country,” said Heitkamp, a member of the Indian Affairs Committee. “ American Indians have long experienced lower health status compared with other Americans and it is past time that we take steps to address the
issues. Dr. Roubideaux has one of the most challenging jobs, but I will continue to push her and the administration to improve health care for Native Americans.”

Heitkamp is committed to addressing the stark health care needs in Indian Country. Compared to the rest of the U.S. population, Native Americans are 182 percent more likely to die from diabetes, 552 percent more likely to die from alcoholism, 138 percent more likely to die from unintentional injuries and 74 percent more likely to die from suicide.  And Native Americans have a life expectancy nearly 4.1 years less than the rest of the U.S. population.

Roubideaux, a member of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe in South Dakota, awaits confirmation from the Senate after her re-nomination by President Obama on May 7, 2013. She was previously confirmed and served as director throughout the President’s first term.

 

-END-