Congressman Markwayne Mullin (OK-02) applauded today’s Energy and Commerce Committee hearing on “Addressing the Urgent Needs of Our Tribal Communities” after asking the committee to hold a hearing dedicated to the issues Tribes are facing. During his opening statement, Mullin also addressed the need to further this process with additional hearings on the subcommittee level.  

Video of Mullin’s remarks can be found at this link.

Below are his remarks as prepared for delivery:

Thank you to the Chairs and Ranking Members of the full committee and the Health Subcommittee for listening to my concerns and having this important hearing. Natives deserve quality, reliable health care services as promised by the federal government. As a Cherokee, I grew up only going to tribally ran hospitals and know just how crucial the Indian Health Service and tribally operated direct service facilities are.

Last Congress, I co-chaired the IHS Taskforce which came up with several key areas in which we can improve the health care provided to 2.2 million Natives. IHS is not only terribly underfunded, but it’s also the only federal health care agency who doesn’t receive mandatory or advanced appropriations. IHS must also modernize its IT system and bring it into the 21st Century.

There is so much going on in Indian Country that applies to this Committee and we need to take a deeper dive. Again, thank you for holding this hearing. I urge the Committee to continue this process with additional hearings in the Health and Oversight and Investigations Subcommittees.