[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},"mediaId",6205031,"mediaKeyId","3777199-0340c1fab2e81d023e8d7daa97de8e5b","parentId",3777199,"title","Witnesses back bill to create IHS graduate medical‑education office; HHS flags implementation questions","audioSeconds",3458,"startMs",1611000,"endMs",5069000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3777199-0340c1fab2e81d023e8d7daa97de8e5b&start=1611&end=5069","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3777199-0340c1fab2e81d023e8d7daa97de8e5b/thumbnail_1611000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6205031/Witnesses-back-bill-to-create-IHS-graduate-medicaleducation-office-HHS-flags-implementation-questions","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6205031-b2aaaaedd76405e0c731624ae7b4c47f/orig.mp4?Expires=1770993401&Signature=AE5OTUS7Gxy2BHo0m~83sQEnhg6lCH0lSYACoy8g6HyLikuNMLZZlnKX54n8nTsnHWnhnyV8sU5WY3cRBFwQvRDWW-Dq~rXxV1fj~ge5U0bEBC4L0UUITR6Udsvax4jPrJ6RsdI7H8dzAeybWfU0K4Iq6zyyUI05wafk0vxr-vGbYvBPlYioRZgO-NwgsH4Da~FtCqeQWDjt5f5nA-JCWILrA0FTsa9hgcAvm5TfH83AC7n7nZ7K1UX~Vq8FxPg5LWzBYTR6kpkaOe-~LLYHZySSEIKpP7KSqbcUTx2iNAngvoUd6dNRzJU5VWp3ebvdIO9L2YReHQ6XMHvXrWLwAw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","U.S. House Committee on Natural Resources","date","2025-06-05T14:37:18Z","article","The subcommittee considered HR 3670, the Indian Health Service Provider Expansion Act, which would amend the Indian Health Care Improvement Act to establish a permanent Office of Graduate Medical Education within IHS and authorize $4,000,000 per year to stand up and operate the office.

Representative Stansbury, sponsor of the bill, and Dr. Adrienne Begay, a physician and senior advisor with the HEAL Initiative, said the office would create a pipeline to train more clinicians in tribal and IHS settings and help reduce chronic provider shortages. Begay told the subcommittee that IHS covers services in 37 states, serves more than 2 million people, and is operating with large vacancy levels: testimony stated IHS had more than 1,330 vacancies and that primary clinical positions average approximately a 33% vacancy rate.

Begay cited national data showing training location strongly predicts practice location: residents trained in rural or tribal settings are far more likely to stay and practice in those areas. She said that of the 145,000 medical residents nationwide only 77 train full time at IHS, tribal, or urban Indian sites (about 0.05%). The bill’s proponents pointed to existing tribal residency and fellowship programs with high retention—four tribal family medicine residencies retained 51 percent of graduates within the IHS system and three Oklahoma tribal residency programs retained 72 percent in rural practice.

Daryl LaRoche, acting deputy director of IHS, told the committee that IHS supports development of mechanisms to expand training but raised technical questions: the written testimony and oral remarks noted the bill does not include a detailed implementation plan, that the $4,000,000 figure appeared in prior budget requests and may require further technical analysis, and that long‑term sustainability would depend on additional appropriations and interagency coordination. LaRoche said IHS would welcome an interagency workgroup and technical assistance from the committee to design the office for long‑term stability.

Members asked about cost assumptions, how the office would coordinate with academic medical centers, and how training programs have produced demonstrable retention gains. Witnesses urged Congress to create the office to build a culturally competent workforce that can provide care in Indian country.

No committee vote occurred during the hearing.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Legislative Hearing | Indian and Insular Affairs Subcommittee","oneSentenceSummary","HR 3670 would establish an Office of Graduate Medical Education in the Indian Health Service with an initial authorization of $4 million per year to expand residency and fellowship opportunities inside IHS facilities; witnesses cited severe staffing shortages and evidence that training in place increases retention.","taxTitle","Natural Resources: House Committee, Standing Committees - House & Senate, Congressional Hearings Compilation, Legislative, Federal","taxId",1983,"location","","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},6205036,"Bill would transfer federal land in Anchorage to Southcentral Foundation to build new behavioral‑health facility",3742,1563000,5305000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3777199-0340c1fab2e81d023e8d7daa97de8e5b&start=1563&end=5305","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3777199-0340c1fab2e81d023e8d7daa97de8e5b/thumbnail_1563000.jpg","/articles/6205036/Bill-would-transfer-federal-land-in-Anchorage-to-Southcentral-Foundation-to-build-new-behavioralhealth-facility","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6205036-8f9f036b711d8e4d1b96e02d4b5860f4/orig.mp4?Expires=1770993402&Signature=NiUG-0NBq5Kc-29zjaAmAgVoZga54yRtjlt81CP9S8ha5GzRcq3mqHgHN99XCa72JZChC8jds1VBJYlNvTFnpn3JKBaGDUm0wtC7dbVnb-ZLqkSAtJFVH-xaT51F6qTUTFiEzEN36bV5lIFXDfrGsnDd5445IBjy9YZ-V~ombOreL0ZzIlo7N-XMubP88KmMtWWkxqqffaVz9l-gzp898iZJ0ScTGl-6z4cAx46FFukkBybbWUgK-CESIRWBr5lOVJuM8Nw39xHyvpnpHnsX5zaY1V6peT-4kPy3GRBRxudU9Ff1-4lNUAOIvcyHtnsXyzUXCEjMyGY7GBWejv4U3g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The subcommittee heard testimony on HR 3620, the South Central Foundation Land Transfer Act, which would direct the Department of Health and Human Services to convey a parcel of land in Anchorage, Alaska, to Southcentral Foundation (SCF), an Alaska Native‑run health organization, so the organization can replace aging facilities used for behavioral health services.

Representative Begich, sponsor of the bill, described SCF as a longstanding Alaska Native health provider serving more than 70,000 Alaska Native and American Indian people and said the legislation would remove ‘‘bureaucratic red tape’’ and allow the organization to modernize the Koyana Clubhouse and related services. SCF’s vice president Leandra Ross told the committee the current facilities date to the 1990s, include buildings never intended for clinical care (one was formerly a morgue), and constrain capacity. Ross said a new 40,000 square‑foot building would allow SCF to collocate intensive case management with day clubhouse programming, double the number of customer‑owners served in those programs and expand hours and services.

Daryl LaRoche, acting deputy director of the Indian Health Service at HHS, testified that the bill would require conveyance by warranty deed and completion ‘‘as soon as practicable, but no later than two years from enactment.’’ LaRoche said HHS has concerns about mandatory warranty deeds—rather than quitclaim deeds with reversionary clauses—because warranty deeds can create potential future liability if competing property interests subsequently appear. He also noted the bill does not specify the particular health programs the property must be used for and that the department prefers mechanisms that ensure property returns to federal ownership if the use condition ceases.

LaRoche said the department’s Alaska staff reported the property has cleared environmental assessments. Ross said SCF plans to build the new facility at the site, that the parcel is zoned for the proposed services, and that the organization has operated the Koyana Clubhouse on the property since 1993. Ross said SCF currently serves about 120 customer‑owners at the clubhouse and that many of SCF’s programs are funded partly through Medicaid and private payers.

Committee members asked about deed types, environmental liability protections, and whether prior similar conveyances have been implemented—LaRoche noted Congress has authorized similar transfers in the past and HHS has implemented them but requested opportunities to work on technical amendments. No committee vote occurred at the hearing.","Witnesses told the House subcommittee HR 3620 would allow Southcentral Foundation to acquire federal land in Anchorage by warranty deed, unlock a planned 40,000 sq. ft. behavioral‑health facility and expand services for people with persistent mental illness; HHS testified to concerns about deed type and retention mechanisms.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},6205040,"Akwesasne Mohawk settlement bill would ratify pact returning thousands of acres and provide state benefits, witnesses say",3301,1464000,4765000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3777199-0340c1fab2e81d023e8d7daa97de8e5b&start=1464&end=4765","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3777199-0340c1fab2e81d023e8d7daa97de8e5b/thumbnail_1464000.jpg","/articles/6205040/Akwesasne-Mohawk-settlement-bill-would-ratify-pact-returning-thousands-of-acres-and-provide-state-benefits-witnesses-say","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6205040-680e42f4d01f13397124c5ab0e3e9573/orig.mp4?Expires=1770993402&Signature=ZXEGwMHqgWm4maD~wEXiEaeQF98gUCX0djeTzMUu3iaX1aoMQgIZHIxIZrTdZPtchCdwPyUpvXRhiZ0Uu9J-O-4QI6mc3pboe1JXxGm3rMmyBHnOgzYcmc0JzisHqyT4lTr38BXtkBYnrNMRCwH8RG3ya~Sq-z1kvwOoa3hNaSCB3PV6t9wOr41JXydGs31Q-0PK3EI6HFz1tFEcvG~uRszNNFXjUxjD~1UpMuk8Q~ZEl3yookbz4cX2eJgvQNWG-rsX5SH3IcldvFw5E2prQVdHKHAG0JsE-lpXJvuzaX8lnNxLchCGtvsBpbGDsgxEOrgMey1U4imSYG3Skx63wA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The subcommittee considered HR 2916, a bill to ratify and confirm a negotiated settlement resolving land claims by the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe and related parties in northern New York.

Chief Beverly Cook of the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe described the settlement as the result of decades of litigation and negotiation and said the agreement would return approximately 3,500 acres to reservation status and permit the tribe to acquire up to an additional 14,000 acres from willing sellers. Cook said the settlement clarifies jurisdiction in specified areas of Franklin and St. Lawrence counties, preserves existing landownership, and is intended to avoid taking land from private owners.

The settlement, Cook testified, includes tuition waivers and mandatory fee waivers for tribe members attending State University of New York institutions and provides preferred electricity rates from the New York Power Authority for the tribe. She emphasized that the settlement requires no federal monetary contribution and is the product of multiyear negotiations involving the tribe, the State of New York, county governments, and the New York Power Authority.

Cook described the settlement’s back‑tax arrangement in which the state would pay back property taxes on Mohawk‑owned lands within the counties to the counties, and said the final agreement obtained the approval of most parties after court‑supervised mediation; one tribal council later withdrew and the others proceeded. The chief asked Congress to ratify the settlement to end decades of uncertainty in the region and to permit the tribe to pursue housing, education, and economic development on lands that will be placed into trust or otherwise gain reservation status under the agreement.

No formal committee action occurred; members questioned Chief Cook about the settlement timeline and next administrative steps.","HR 2916 would ratify a negotiated settlement resolving long‑running Akwesasne Mohawk land claims, returning roughly 3,500 acres to reservation status, allowing additional acquisitions from willing sellers, and including education and power‑rate provisions without federal payments.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},6205045,"Congressional hearing spotlights $33.9 million settlement proposal to resolve Keweenaw Bay land claims",3028,1416000,4444000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3777199-0340c1fab2e81d023e8d7daa97de8e5b&start=1416&end=4444","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3777199-0340c1fab2e81d023e8d7daa97de8e5b/thumbnail_1416000.jpg","/articles/6205045/Congressional-hearing-spotlights-339-million-settlement-proposal-to-resolve-Keweenaw-Bay-land-claims","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6205045-dae206e69bcf04374b288d008d409a47/orig.mp4?Expires=1770993402&Signature=KnxodqiPUf1i2TBfIxNtaWEijBCpzKGRTAOrgra2~opkbAdPR8OYgRTYdr0sh-R-iJ6QOXKj6g3ysoa-lP2c4wchL5OEYO18ZDi8-mqPv7LwCZ~kHGbGriBlbm7aoUgFTRfcU2PzkWm2S-CHMMPv8nVJvU8Fh-ktgjLrgrM~wx1c3-hd5cj-xbeYP6DlivdHbO4mdJKBqIE8Ar3o416WYJIVJTTCM3iBOHFxtVwTbhMEEyk0x77zca~UcgTEXbWxb0HLEKF9FpPtKWPvY800xyzZ5Ljz5Gdx58n17AG~xjM2hzkjKTZbVRuGApQg0GS~7bl0fnIJGm~JIvdQ5l5wyA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The subcommittee on Indian and Insular Affairs heard testimony on HR 411, the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community Land Claim Settlement Act, which would authorize $33,900,000 to settle tribal claims arising from 19th‑century transfers of reservation lands to the state of Michigan.

The bill, sponsored by Representative Bergman of Michigan, would compensate the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community for lands the tribe says were taken without consent or compensation under the Swamp Land Act of 1850 and the Canal Land Act of 1852 and would extinguish the tribe’s outstanding claims while confirming clear title for current landowners.

President Robert Curtis Jr. of the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community told the subcommittee that his tribe’s reservation was created by the 1842 and 1854 treaties of La Pointe and that more than 4,000 acres of reserved lands were later transferred to Michigan between 1893 and 1937, including about 2,700 acres of swamplands and roughly 1,300 acres taken under the Canal Land Act. Curtis said Interior Department review in December 2021 found the tribe’s claims had merit and that the settlement is the product of long negotiation with county and state officials and local communities.

Representative Bergman described the measure as a ‘‘straightforward and long overdue’’ effort to right a historic wrong, saying the settlement figure was based on a professional appraisal agreed to by the tribe and the Department of the Interior. Bergman and President Curtis emphasized that the bill would not seek to reclaim land from current non‑tribal owners; it would instead compensate the tribe and clear title for those who bought land in good faith.

Witnesses and members discussed the legal and historical basis for the claim and the goal of preserving harmony with neighboring communities while addressing treaty obligations. No formal vote or committee action occurred during the hearing; members asked questions of witnesses about valuation and next steps for implementation.

The testimony noted that if enacted, the settlement funds could be used by the tribe for any lawful purpose except gaming. President Curtis said the tribe has worked with appraisers (Compass Lexecon was commissioned by the tribe) and local leaders to reach the current figure and urged Congress to move the bill forward.

The hearing record will remain open for subcommittee questions and written responses; witnesses indicated willingness to provide additional materials and technical details to committee staff.","The House Natural Resources subcommittee heard testimony on HR 411, a bill that would settle long‑running Keweenaw Bay Indian Community claims by authorizing $33.9 million in compensation and clarifying title for current landowners.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Witnesses back bill to create IHS graduate medical‑education office; HHS flags implementation questions

Bill would transfer federal land in Anchorage to Southcentral Foundation to build new behavioral‑health facility

Akwesasne Mohawk settlement bill would ratify pact returning thousands of acres and provide state benefits, witnesses say

Congressional hearing spotlights $33.9 million settlement proposal to resolve Keweenaw Bay land claims