HHS Dispatches More Than 70 Public Health Service Officers to Strengthen Care in Tribal Communities

WASHINGTON- SEPTEMBER 22, 2025 - The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) today announced the mobilization of more than 70 Public Health Service officers from the U.S. Public Health Service (USPHS) Commissioned Corps to Indian Health Service (IHS) facilities across the country. This action delivers on Secretary Kennedy's promise to strengthen the IHS, revitalize tribal health care, and ensure Native communities receive the high-quality medical support they deserve.

Public Health Service officers, drawn from both leadership and frontline ranks, will be detailed to priority IHS sites identified as facing the most urgent staffing shortages. Senior Public Health Service officers will be detailed to strengthen leadership and operations, while additional officers will address the most urgent frontline staffing needs at IHS facilities. Today's announcement represents one of the largest single details of Public Health Service officers to the IHS in recent years and underscores the Trump Administration's commitment to improving health outcomes in Indian Country.

"For too long, tribal communities have gone without the care they deserve," said HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. "With vacancy rates above 30%, this mobilization takes bold action to close gaps and deliver timely, quality care to Native families. By working hand-in-hand with Tribal leaders, providers, and families, we are restoring trust and driving the mission to Make America Healthy Again-starting in Indian Country."

"Mobilizing Public Health Service officers to IHS facilities allows us to better meet the health needs of our tribal communities," said IHS Acting Director Benjamin Smith. "By complementing our existing teams, we will work together to expand access to preventive care, improve chronic disease management, and advance overall wellness across Indian Country."

"Our Public Health Service officers do incredible work on the front lines, bringing expertise, dedication, and leadership across the country," said Acting Assistant Secretary for Health & Head of the United States Public Health Service Commissioned Corps Dr. Dorothy Fink. "Their efforts will ensure Tribal communities receive timely, high-quality, and culturally responsive care. This mobilization is a testament to the skill and commitment of our officers and their vital role in strengthening public health across Indian Country."

The IHS serves approximately 2.7 million American Indians and Alaska Natives across 574 federally recognized Tribes. Staffing shortages have long undermined its ability to meet demand, leaving patients without consistent access to care.

HHS has worked closely with Congressional members on this action, including:

Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND): "Adding a physician to the Turtle Mountain Service Unit from the US Public Health Commissioned Corps is great news for the entire area. It immediately increases access to care, workforce capacity, and strengthens our commitment to meeting the health challenges in Indian country."

Senator Steve Daines (R-MT): "Montana is home to 12 federally recognized tribes, and supporting our tribal communities is a top priority for the Treasure State. I applaud this action by President Trump and Secretary Kennedy to support IHS facilities in Crow Agency and Browning, so that Montanans living on our reservations have access to high-quality medical care and services they deserve."

Senator John Hoeven (R-ND): "We appreciate HHS deploying public health care officers, including a physician to Turtle Mountain, to help improve access to vital health care services in tribal communities," said Senator John Hoeven. "Having an additional physician at Turtle Mountain will help individuals in the Belcourt area to access better, more timely care."

Rep. Troy Downing (R-MT): "Strengthening access to high-quality healthcare for Montana's tribal communities is vitally important, and the Indian Health Service plays a key role in meeting their needs. I applaud HHS for recognizing this and deploying additional personnel to the Crow Service Unit so that my constituents in Indian Country have the resources to improve health outcomes."

Rep. Paul Gosar (R-AZ): "These dedicated officers bring critical expertise that will strengthen operations, improve patient care, and ensure tribal communities receive the timely and quality health services they deserve. This action reflects the Trump Administration's firm commitment to addressing longstanding health disparities in Indian Country."

Rep. Dusty Johnson (R-SD): "I'm grateful for HHS's assistance - there are nursing shortages across America, especially in rural America, and especially on reservations. The United States government must uphold its trust and treaty obligations. I've been calling for IHS reforms for years to improve the patient experience, and HHS's help will go a long way to ensure tribal members can access care."

Rep. Adrian Smith (R-NE): "I am pleased to see the Trump administration take meaningful action to support regional healthcare efforts. Patients from northern Nebraska who receive care from IHS facilities on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation will benefit from this significant increase in staffing."

Rep. Eli Crane (R-AZ): "I applaud this announcement by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, which will strengthen healthcare for tribal citizens. By sending nurses, a medical technologist, and other professionals to AZ-02, these IHS facilities will receive much-needed support. We are grateful for this decision to invest in rural and tribal communities that are all too often overlooked."

This detail of Public Health Service officers is part of a broader HHS initiative to reduce critical staffing shortages at IHS facilities, strengthen leadership in underserved locations, and deliver culturally competent, community-centered care in partnership with Tribal Nations.

About the U.S. Public Health Service (USPHS) Commissioned Corps The USPHS Commissioned Corps is one of the nation's eight uniformed services and is dedicated to protecting, promoting, and advancing the health and safety of the American people. More than 5,000 highly trained public health professionals-including physicians, nurses, pharmacists, engineers, and scientists-serve on the front lines of the nation's health challenges. Public Health Service officers respond to natural disasters, public health emergencies, and urgent medical needs, providing expertise and care wherever it is needed most.