On Thursday, April 30, the National Indian Health Board (NIHB) submitted a letter to President Trump and US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Alex Azar urging the inclusion of recently confirmed Indian Health Service Director RADM Michael Weahkee on the White House’s COVID-19 Task Force. Given the Trust Responsibility and the unique relationship between Tribes and the federal government, ensuring that the health needs of American Indian and Alaska Natives (AI/ANs) are met during the COVID-19 emergency is of paramount importance. We feel that the inclusion of the IHS Director on the Task Force would ensure that the needs of AI/ANs and the IHS, Tribal, and Urban health systems are represented in discussions about how to address the crisis.
NIHB Submits Letter to President Trump and HHS Secretary Azar on Inclusion of IHS Director in COVID-19 Task Force
- April 30, 2020