Episode Details

Mark Cruz, a Klamath Tribe member and longtime tribal health advocate, has been confirmed as the new head of the Indian Health Service — a historic moment for Native American healthcare. With nearly 3 million patients relying on the agency, Cruz brings firsthand experience and a personal mission to transform health outcomes in Indian Country. His confirmation, narrowly passing 51-47, comes as he also retains his role advising Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Facing critical shortages and crumbling infrastructure, Cruz vows to protect tribal programs from budget cuts and ensure tribes aren’t left footing operational costs alone. Tribal leaders and advocacy groups hailed his appointment as essential to fulfilling federal treaty obligations — and a vital step toward addressing the $10 billion-plus gap needed to meet the healthcare needs of Native communities.

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