RFK Jr. pledges $1bn for Indian Health Service in Bismarck

Summarised from 2 outlets · 3 reports · Updated 6 Nov, 03:51 · Archive

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. pledged $1 billion for the Indian Health Service during a visit to North Dakota.

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. visited Bismarck, North Dakota, pledging $1 billion for the Indian Health Service as he discussed rural and tribal healthcare with state and tribal leaders. Kennedy said the country faces a rural healthcare crisis, with staffing shortages driving hospital closures that can be matters of life or death.

Kennedy outlined his plans to spare the Indian Health Service and Head Start from federal budget cuts and to launch efforts tackling chronic staffing shortages in tribal healthcare. He also committed to addressing a multi-billion-dollar backlog in tribal hospital construction. Kennedy emphasised the need for more Medicaid access for tribal members and said he wants hospital food for patients to be healthier. He noted that recruitment programmes, including residency schemes, could help, observing that about 40% of medical students who do their residencies in rural areas remain there for their entire careers.

Former North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum, now U.S. Secretary of the Interior, participated in the discussion alongside Senators Kevin Cramer and John Hoevel and Representative Julie Fedorchak. Burgum highlighted food deserts in tribal lands and noted that rates of chronic disease, particularly diabetes, are higher in tribal areas than elsewhere. North Dakota has received almost $60 million since August for rural healthcare transformation, with year-two funding expected from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

How it is being reported

• Kennedy talks rural and tribal healthcare during Bismarck visitU.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. pledged $1 billion for the Indian Health Service in Bismarck on Thursday as he discussed rural and tribal health care.Valleynewslive · 6 Nov, 03:25
• HHS Secretary RFK Jr. visits Bismarck, discusses transformation for rural health care in North DakotaStatewide leaders gathered with the U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary to discuss health care in North Dakota.Kfyrtv · 6 Nov, 00:47
• RFK Jr. discusses tribal health in BismarckOne of President Trump’s cabinet members visited North Dakota today to discuss Native American health.Kfyrtv · 5 Nov, 23:51

In this story: Robert F. Kennedy Jr. · Health and Human Services · Indian Health Service · Bismarck · North Dakota · Doug Burgum · John Hoeven · Kevin Cramer

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem · Corrections log