Call Health and Human Services Secretary Robert Kennedy Jr.: 1-877-696-6775 We strongly oppose efforts to minimize the federal health care workforce. It will negatively impact the Indian Health Service’s (IHS) ability to deliver health care. Diminishing the workforce at the IHS poses a grave threat to the vital medical services provided to American Indians and Alaska Natives – including emergency services, maternity care, and cancer treatments. The IHS is already plagued by chronic underfunding and significant staffing shortages. The federal government has a unique relationship with American Indians and Alaska Natives. This relationship is grounded in a federal trust responsibility rooted in the United States Constitution, treaties, and countless federal laws and policies, has resulted in a protected legal status of Tribal Nations as political entities rather than a racial class. The federal government acts as a trustee and has charged itself with moral obligations of the highest responsibility and trust towards Indian Tribes, and in doing so, has established programs and services necessary to fulfill its trust and treaty obligations. Federal courts have consistently recognized this and upheld this distinct and legal political status, particularly regarding the provision of health care to American Indians and Alaska Natives. ______________________________________________________________________ Call Department of Interior Secretary Doug Burgum: 202-208-3100 We strongly oppose efforts to minimize the Bureau of Indian Affairs’ workforce. It will negatively impact BIA’s ability to fulfill its statutory and trust responsibilities of Indian Nations. The BIA is already plagued by chronic underfunding and significant staffing shortages. The federal government has a unique relationship with American Indians and Alaska Natives. This relationship is grounded in a federal trust responsibility rooted in the United States Constitution, treaties, and countless federal laws and policies, has resulted in a protected legal status of Tribal Nations as political entities rather than a racial class. The federal government acts as a trustee and has charged itself with moral obligations of the highest responsibility and trust towards Indian Tribes, and in doing so, has established programs and services necessary to fulfill its trust and treaty obligations. Federal courts have consistently recognized this and upheld this distinct and legal political status.
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