Tribal members from Nebraska and South Dakota packed the Rapid City council chambers Thursday to discuss the IHS Accountability Act of 2016.
It’s a reform bill meant to tackle mismanagement by network of hospitals both on and off reservations.
South Dakota U.S. Senator John Thune introduced the bill last month, and a panel is seeking input on the measure.
The federal government is required to provide healthcare to tribal members. But many Native Americans even forgo the care they are guaranteed, due to poor conditions at Indian Health Services hospitals.