Cole Remarks at Budget Hearing on Indian Health Service

Thank you, Chairman Simpson and Ranking Member Pingree. Good morning, Acting Director Smith. Thank you for being here to discuss the Indian Health Service Fiscal Year 2026 Budget Request. 

As an enrolled member of the Chickasaw Nation of Oklahoma, I have always prioritized Tribal issues in my work as a Member of Congress and on this important Committee. I have been – and will remain – committed to ensuring the federal government upholds its trust responsibility to Native Americans to provide basic services and resources throughout Indian Country. I appreciate the important role IHS plays in this effort – delivering critical health care services to roughly 2.8 million individuals.

As a long-time advocate of providing advance appropriations for the Indian Health Service, I was very pleased Congress was finally able to secure these resources for the agency starting in FY23. Access to quality health care services, even in the case of situations like a government shutdown, is something that must be protected. So long as Congress continues providing discretionary funding for IHS, I will continue to advocate for increased funding and support to ensure Tribal communities are not at risk of losing their health care - especially in the case of a government shutdown. 

While I appreciate the Administration’s efforts to protect programs for Tribes, I share the same concern as Chairman Simpson about eliminating advance appropriations. Great progress has been made to provide Tribes with the support and certainty they need; we won’t take that away. I was pleased to see the budget prioritizes funding for the Purchase and Referred Care Program. This funding ensures Tribal members can access health care services when certain medical care is only available outside IHS or Tribal health care facilities. I also appreciate the continued support for scholarship and loan repayment programs. These initiatives play a vital role in the recruitment and retention of health care professionals in Indian Country. I look forward to hearing more about what IHS is doing to address staffing shortages at its hospitals and health clinics.

I will end by saying that I have always valued the bipartisan dedication of this subcommittee. Under both Democratic and Republican leadership, this group has continually worked towards fulfilling our trust and treaty responsibilities, which include providing essential health care services. Tribes have played a very important role in American history, and I will continue to ensure that we protect their traditions and expand their sovereignty and capacity for self-government. 

I look forward to working with my colleagues and IHS to advance our commitment to Tribal communities across the country. Thank you, again, Chairman Simpson. I yield back.