Native American health board to operate most of hospital

RAPID CITY, S.D. (AP) – A health board that advocates for Native Americans in the Great Plains will soon operate most of Sioux San Hospital in Rapid City.

The Great Plains Tribal Chairmen’s Health Board, on behalf of the Oglala and Cheyenne River Sioux tribes, will take over most of the hospital’s management from federal Indian Health Service. The transfer is scheduled for July 21. The Indian Health Service will continue to provide health care at the hospital.

The Indian Health Service says it recognizes that tribal leaders and members “are in the best position to understand the health needs and priorities of their communities.”

In December, the Indian Health Service said it was terminating negotiations over hospital management after the Rosebud Sioux Tribe dropped its support of the transfer to the health board.

The hospital is set to undergo a multi-million-dollar renovation.

AP-WF-06-11-19 2312GMT