Dusty Johnson
04/30/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 04/30/2024 16:37
Johnson Testifies for His IHS Reform Bill
Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) testified in the House Natural Resources Committee in support of his bill to reform the Indian Health Service (IHS) and protect Native Americans' credit. Chairwoman Janet Alkire from the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe also testified in support of Johnson's bill.
"The Hippocratic oath tells us to first 'do no harm,'" said Johnson. "Unfortunately, we're not living up to those principles with regard to Purchased and Referred Care and the Indian Health Service."
Click here or the image above to watch Johnson's remarks.
The Purchased and Referred Care Improvement Act of 2024 would:
- Ensure that IHS - not the tribal citizen - is liable for payments for PRC services that are or were authorized by IHS.
- Directs the Secretary to notify PRC providers and patients that the patients are not liable to any provider or debt collector for charges associated with authorized PRC services.
- Permits IHS to establish and implement procedures to allow patients that paid out-of-pocket for IHS-authorized PRC services to be reimbursed by IHS no later than 30 days after a patient submits the necessary documentation.
Johnson introduced the bill in March.