The Trump administration's purge of workers at the Indian Health Service may violate longstanding federal treaties with tribal nations, Rep. Greg Stanton (D-AZ) warned Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
The layoffs, which are part of a vastly broader push by the new administration to reduce headcount throughout the federal government, apply to some 850 "probationary" employees at IHS, who have been only recently hired and are not subject to the same civil service protections as most federal employees.
"These layoffs could remove physicians, nurses, dentists, and other health care professionals from their critical roles in underserved and rural areas," wrote Stanton. "As you know, American Indians and Alaska Natives' life expectancy is 5.5 years less than the national average. Moreover, American Indians and Alaska Natives continue to die at higher rates than other Americans from chronic disease, including liver disease, respiratory disease, diabetes, as well as unintentional injuries, homicide and assault, and intentional self-harm. The federal government has a duty to meaningfully address these health disparities, and even with the current IHS staffing levels, many of these essential services are not met."
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"Federal Tribal programs are not racial nor preference programs," Stanton continued, reminding Kennedy he pledged to address IHS staffing shortages during his confirmation hearing. "They are a solemn duty of the federal government to uphold its treaty and trust obligations to Tribal Nations and all indigenous peoples."
The Trump administration's cuts to staffing and freezes of federal funding for critical programs around the country have already triggered an avalanche of litigation, with a number of federal judges blocking the administration from moving forward with their plans.
Nonetheless, some federal worker unions have raised the alarm that the administration appears intent on defying at least some of these judicial rulings.