Senator Johnson: Stimulus to Provide Millions in Funding to Complete Construction at IHS Center in Eagle Butte

Funding also announced for tribes and facilities across the state

May 15, 2009 -- Washington, DC – U.S. Senator Tim Johnson (D-SD), a member of the Indian Affairs and Appropriations Committees, today announced that the Indian Health Service (IHS) will provide funding, as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, to complete construction of the IHS hospital in Eagle Butte. The project is one of only two of its kind in the country to receive this funding.

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The funding to complete the hospital was one of 38 projects that will be receiving funding across South Dakota from the American Investment and Recovery Act. The announcement was made today by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), which announced projects totaling $500 million for tribes across the nation. HHS has committed to funding these projects, although they are working through specific funding totals for each project.

“As a member of the Appropriations Committee, I have been fighting to ensure the hospital at Eagle Butte remained at the top of the IHS list as they crafted its annual budgets,” said Johnson. “Today’s announcement is an important step forward for the people of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe, and will bring much needed health services to Indian Country.”

Johnson and the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe have been working on full funding for this facility for nearly a decade. In 2003, Johnson invited then Indian Health Service Director Dr. Charles Grim to Eagle Butte to hear from tribal leaders and tribal members first-hand about the healthcare needs of the tribal residents of the Cheyenne River Sioux Reservation. Shortly after that, the birthing unit was added to the new hospital’s blueprints.

In his efforts as an appropriator, Johnson has secured more than $5 million dollars for site preparation and infrastructure to get this project off the ground. In August of last year, ground was broken on this construction project.

Last month, Johnson joined with members of the South Dakota Congressional Delegation in asking Robert McSwain, then Director of then-Indian Health Service, to use funding from the stimulus package for the hospital in Eagle Butte. When completed, the facility will feature important technological upgrades and expanded health services including telemedicine and physical therapy.

“I will continue in my efforts to ensure that the federal government fulfills its treaty and trust responsibilities in Indian Country and provides quality health care on our reservations. I am proud that the Obama Administration shares this goal,” continued Johnson. “The stimulus package is having an important effect across South Dakota, including in our tribal communities.”

Also announced today was a commitment from HHS to fund the following projects in our state:

Crow Creek Sioux Tribe – Resources for water and sanitation facilities at the Ft. Thompson and Big Bend Lift Station; and to repair and expand the health clinic.

Lower Brule Sioux Tribe – Resources to repair and renovate fire and ambulance buildings; and to purchase new medical equipment.

Rosebud Sioux Tribe - Resources to repair and renovate residences and other sites and the ambulance bay; to make improvements to the Tribal Alcohol, Diabetes, and Ambulance Buildings, install wind turbine, lift station improvements and to purchase ambulances. Funding is also included for community upgrades.

Oglala Sioux Tribe – Resources to improve the Wanblee Health Center and the Kyle Health Center; to renovate the OST Health Buildings; the installation of a wind turbine; purchase of a new ambulance and waste equipment; and to make additional facilities upgrades.

Standing Rock Sioux Tribe – Resources to construct a drain and pumping system and make additional facilities upgrades.

Yankton Sioux Tribe – Resources for road repair and building and community upgrades.

Source: Senator Tim Johnson