Brian Schatz: “It will be expected by statute and traditional to fulfill…”

“If confirmed as the director of IHS, Mr. Cruz will manage a multi billion dollar budget and approximately 15,000 federal employees. He will also be the most senior Senate confirmed executive charged with carrying out the agency's mission. It will be expected by statute and traditional to fulfill the federal government's trust and treaty obligations to provide health services to American Indians and Alaska Natives and improve their health outcomes. At a time when IHS faces persistent workforce shortages, aging infrastructure and ongoing concerns about service delivery. This committee has a responsibility to carefully examine whether any nominee is prepared to meet the demands of this position from day one.” (05:10–05:23)

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