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Read. Follow. Verify.Senate Hearing on the Nomination of Michael D. Weahkee for Indian Health Service Director
Record date · January 1, 2020
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What This Bill Does
The Senate Committee on Indian Affairs held a hearing to consider the nomination of Rear Admiral Michael D. Weahkee as the Director of the Indian Health Service (IHS). The hearing reviewed his professional background, his previous experience as Acting Director and CEO of the Phoenix Indian Medical Center, and his vision for the agency's future.
The Director of the Indian Health Service oversees a $6.9 billion budget and healthcare delivery for approximately 2.6 million American Indians and Alaska Natives across 605 facilities.
Who It Affects
Groups the bill's text affects, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.
American Indians and Alaska Natives
This population relies on the Indian Health Service for the delivery of healthcare services.
Indian Health Service Employees
The agency's workforce of over 15,000 professionals operates under the leadership and administration of the Director.
Key Facts
- Michael D. Weahkee was nominated by President Trump on October 30, 2019, to serve as Director of the Indian Health Service.
- The Indian Health Service (IHS) serves approximately 2.6 million American Indians and Alaska Natives.
- The IHS operates a network of over 605 hospitals, clinics, and health stations across 37 states.
- The IHS employs over 15,000 professionals and manages an annual budget of approximately $6.9 billion.
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- Michael D. Weahkee previously served as the Acting Director of the IHS and as CEO of the Phoenix Indian Medical Center.
- The Phoenix Indian Medical Center is the largest IHS facility in the country, serving over 111,000 patients.
- The Committee received over 60 letters of support for the nomination from various tribal organizations and entities.
- The hearing addressed specific concerns regarding the agency's response to the Dr. Weber sex abuse incident and efforts to be removed from the GAO High-Risk List.
Frequently Asked Questions
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News Coverage
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Votes, people, money & the original sourceFull breakdown
Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.
Discoveries
Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.
Focus on GAO High-Risk Status
The committee is explicitly linking the confirmation process to the agency's performance on the GAO High-Risk List, indicating a focus on institutional accountability.
Connected Entities
Sources
www.govinfo.gov
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance85How much this matters to a regular citizen
- Controversy40Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment10Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz20Current news / social attention level
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