Residents, commissioners urge county to press federal officials on Indian Health Service lease closures

Speakers and commissioners at a Beltrami County Board meeting pressed elected officials to seek federal answers after public commenters said local Indian Health Service offices face lease cancellations that could affect medical services and jobs.

Sarah Larson, who identified herself as a robotics coach and a frequent user of IHS services, said she does not live in Beltrami County but spoke on behalf of people who rely on the Cass Lake and Bemidji IHS offices. “I am here obviously to speak on behalf of, what's going on with the lease at the, IHS building, which is due to be canceled,” Larson said. She asked the board to “write a letter to, Robert Kennedy junior and demand a plan for how the services are going to continue forward from here.”

Larson said the Cass Lake office includes an emergency room that serves residents and non‑tribal community members during peak needs and that local waits at Bemidji can reach four to six hours. She and other speakers said the Bemidji administrative office, which they described as larger, provides administrative services for many tribes and that nationwide lease cancellations are being staggered through August; Larson cited Minnesota Public Radio as listing closures around the country.

Carrie Jessen, a retired nurse, urged the board to read a letter from U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith and warned that the IHS offices provide culturally sensitive care. “To think that the Bemidji community would be able to absorb the healthcare needs of the 3 reservations that are close to us is ludicrous,” Cindy Luth, another commenter, said, adding concerns about the local economy and loss of well‑paying administrative jobs.

Commissioner Gould recommended the board submit a letter similar to the senators’ letter and asked whether Administrator Barry could draft such a letter for board approval. Administrator Barry (referred to in the transcript as Administrator Barry) said the county had supported the Keep It Clean program previously by resolution and that sending an official county letter on a federal program would be a board decision. He offered to contact Indian Health Services to request a regional spokesperson attend a future meeting to brief the board on services and impacts; several commissioners supported seeking more information before taking a formal county stance.

No formal board vote or resolution was recorded on the IHS leases during this meeting. Multiple commissioners said they would consider sending individual letters; Commissioner Gould said a single letter from the full board would be more effective. Administrator Barry said he would reach out to IHS to request a briefing so the board could make an informed decision.

Comments in the transcript include claims that the Bemidji offices administer services for “30 tribes” (attributed to Sarah Larson), that the Cass Lake office includes a local ER used by non‑tribal residents, and that Senators Klobuchar and Smith have sent a letter to federal officials (referenced by Carrie Jessen and Commissioner Gould). Those items were cited by speakers to support requests for county action and a briefing.