Recently, administrative leaders from the North Dakota Hospital Association (NDHA) and the South Dakota Association of Healthcare Organizations (SDAHO) met in Aberdeen with James Driving Hawk, Acting Director, and other members of the Indian Health Services (HIS) Great Plains Area leadership team.
The group discussed a number of important strategic topics and issues. Of special note, we received news that IHS officials plan to sign the Care Coordination agreements in the near future. Once signed, the process can move forward allowing Medicaid eligible and enrolled IHS patients to be referred and receive care from medical providers who are outside of the IHS system.
We concluded the meeting with an offer to explore future collaborative opportunities to work together, including possible membership in SDAHO.
On a related note, President Trump announced his intent to nominate Robert Weaver of Oklahoma as Director of Indian Health Services. Mr. Weaver is an enrolled member of the Quapaw Tribe of Oklahoma.
