Thune presents bill to overhaul hospitals on reservations

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) – U.S. Sen. John Thune has presented a measure to overhaul the network of government-run hospitals that provides care to Native Americans on and off reservations.

The Republican from South Dakota on Tuesday highlighted portions of the bill in the Senate. Thune and Republican U.S. Sen. John Barrasso, of Wyoming, have introduced a bill that aims at increasing transparency and accountability at the Indian Health Service, as well as improving the agency’s recruiting and retention practices.

The proposed measure comes after serious quality-of-care deficiencies were found in recent months at three of the government-run hospitals in South Dakota. The emergency rooms of the facilities in Rosebud, Pine Ridge and Rapid City have been under particular scrutiny after federal inspectors found staffing shortages and substandard medical screenings provided to patients.