Stansbury Fights for Expanded Access to Healthcare, More Providers

 WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congresswoman Melanie Stansbury (NM-01) fought for expanded access to healthcare in rural and Indigenous communities during an Indian and Insular Affairs Subcommittee hearing.  

Her bill, the IHS Provider Expansion Act, was reintroduced earlier in the month, and testimony about the legislation was heard during the subcommittee hearing.  

Watch video of the hearing.  

The legislation would establish an Office of Graduate Medical Education Programs within the Indian Health Service (IHS). This legislation would expand the existing IHS Residency Program, building from the Shiprock-University of New Mexico (SUNM) Family Medicine Residency which is the first in the nation.  

"Access to healthcare should not be determined by history or geography,” said Rep. Melanie Stansbury (NM-01). “The IHS Provider Expansion Act is a vital step towards ensuring that Native and Indigenous communities can access healthcare and grow the number of medical professionals serving Native communities. By investing in medical education within the Indian Health Service, we can help expand healthcare and bridge the gap in healthcare disparities that have persisted for far too long." 

Testifying about the importance of the legislation was Dr. Adriann Begay from the Navajo Nation HEAL Initiative. Dr. Begay is Tábaahi (Edge of the Water clan) and born for Bít’ahnii (Folded Arms People clan). Her maternal grandparents are Ta’néészahnii (Badlands People clan) and paternal grandparents are Tl’aashchí’í (Red Cheek People clan).  

She completed her undergraduate studies at the University of Arizona; and received a medical degree from the University of North Dakota School of Medicine through the Indians into Medicine program. She completed her residency in Family Medicine at the University of Arizona and is a Diplomate of the American Board of Family Practice. Adriann worked for the Indian Health Service for 21 years initially at Salt River Clinic under Phoenix Indian Medical Center for 4 years as a primary care provider. Then at Gallup Indian Medical Center as an urgent care physician and administrator for 17 years. 

Watch video of Dr. Begay’s testimony.  

More about the bill and its impact:  

In New Mexico, which is home to 23 Tribal Nations and a population that is nearly 12% Native, access to healthcare services is a pressing issue. Currently, IHS provides services in 37 states to about 2.2 million out of 3.7 million Indigenous people in the country.  

This bill is projected to directly impact millions of people across the country served by the IHS to improve access to healthcare and medical professionals who understand the unique health challenges faced by Tribal communities.  

By expanding access through IHS, this bill will also help to address the significant deficit of rural primary healthcare providers across the country. Recent data from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services shows rural areas across the country face a significant deficit in primary care providers, with more than 80 million Americans living in Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs).   

By expanding graduate medical education opportunities through IHS, we can expect an increase in the number of physicians willing to practice in these underserved regions.  

Key Provisions of the Legislation:  

• Establishment of the Office: The Secretary of Health makes permanent the Office of Graduate Medical Education Programs to oversee residency and fellowship initiatives within the IHS. 
• Creating a Pipeline: The Office will facilitate opportunities for future healthcare professionals, paraprofessionals, and other health-related workers to engage in residency and fellowship programs. 
• Oversight of Residency Programs: The Office will oversee existing residency and fellowship programs at IHS facilities and support the creation of additional programs aimed at recruiting and retaining healthcare professionals. 
• Coordination with Academic Institutions: The Office will work in collaboration with academic institutions to strengthen educational ties and enhance training opportunities. 
• Interagency Working Group: An interagency working group, involving various federal agencies, will assist in the implementation and sustainability of the Office, ensuring ongoing support and resources.  
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Read the bill here.  

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