South Dakota Congresswoman Kristi Noem says the Sioux San Indian Health Service hospital in Rapid City will pass federal Medicaid and Medicare accreditation in September.
Some IHS hospitals in South Dakota have struggled with accreditation and funding this year.
Noem took a walkthrough Sioux San this week. She says the hospital has had its challenges with CMS accreditation. She says funding could have been pulled this month but the deadline was pushed back.
The hospital has until next month to fix issues CMS outlined earlier in the year. Noem says she took the chance to talk with officials about her IHS reform bill.
“We looked at some of their challenges that they have with space, the things that they have done to meet the requirements that are being told to them from CMS," Noem says. "So, I think they’ve gone a long ways in filling in some gaps that they’ve had and have worked hard to meet those challenges. You know, when I go into these facilities, the people who are providing care are very dedicated. They love people, they’re here to serve, but they face challenges from within the bureaucracy of the Indian Health Services.”
Noem says she supports fully funding IHS, but not until reforms are made.
Noem is up for re-election in November. Her challenger, Democrat Paula Hawks, says IHS issues exist due to lack of fully funding the service.
