ICYMI: Rep. Grijalva Hosts Press Conference on Proposed Closure of Tucson Indian Health Service Area Office

Watch the full press conference here.

Tucson, AZ — Congresswoman Adelita S. Grijalva hosted a press conference on Monday alongside Tribal leaders, local elected officials, and community advocates to raise concerns about the proposed elimination of the Tucson Area Office of the Indian Health Service (IHS), its potential impact on Tribal communities across Southern Arizona, and the lack of meaningful Tribal consultation surrounding the proposal. Following the press conference, she sent a letter alongside Senators Kelly and Gallego to the Department of Health and Human Services requesting answers regarding the proposed closure.

“The federal government has a permanent, binding legal obligation to provide healthcare to Native Americans. This is derived from treaties, federal statutes, and Supreme Court precedent. The Indian Health Care Improvement Act mandates that HHS and IHS actions must improve, not diminish, the delivery of these services. By eliminating a distinct regional office, your agencies are actively retreating from this trust responsibility,” said Rep. Grijalva.

“Our healthcare staff and members will have to travel over two hours to reach the closest area office. We will have less access to specific support services currently provided. The proposed closure will have a negative impact for our Tribal members,” said Verlon Jose, Chairman of the Tohono O’odham Nation.

“Eliminating the Tucson Area Office will result in five million service reduction for Tohono O’odham and Pascua Yaqui. The proposed closure of the Tucson Area Office will not achieve the goals of IHS realignment. It will not improve or streamline healthcare services and will not support Tribal self-governance,” said Carla Johnson, Tohono O’odham Nation.

“When we talk about closing the Tucson Area IHS Office, we’re talking about pulling out of a structural support from underneath already underserved populations... Real disruptions to healthcare access, facilities management, and environmental health services for the communities that depend on them every single day,” said Lane Santa Cruz, Tucson Vice Mayor.

About the Tucson Area Indian Health Service: 

The Tucson Area Indian Health Service (IHS) works in partnership with the Tohono O’odham Nation and Pascua Yaqui Tribe in providing technical assistance to the primary health care and community outreach services of the Tohono O'odham Nation, the Pascua Yaqui Tribe, and a growing and diverse urban Indian population. The Area also provides urban health care services through the Tucson Indian Center, which provides community health outreach, education, prevention, and referral services, including case management, advocacy, and transportation.

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