Reports illustrate how Trump’s Executive Order to “promote efficiency” in federal government forced Gallup Indian Medical Center to halt medical services and lose staff
WASHINGTON — U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) released the following statement in response to new reporting that details how Trump’s Executive Order to “promote efficiency” is preventing Gallup Indian Medical Center (GIMC) from providing medical services, pushed physicians out, and upended necessary contracts that make the medical center function.
“I am appalled at Gallup Indian Medical Center’s dismal state. Despite the truly heroic work being done by providers there, burdensome and unnecessary red tape inflicted by the Trump Administration has caused this already overburdened hospital to cut down on essential services.
“My office has received numerous reports that GIMC has slashed the number of beds available and scaled back maternal care. That’s not okay. If expectant mothers need an ultrasound or experience pregnancy complications overnight, they shouldn’t have to be flown to another facility to receive basic medical services. But that is the state of care right now.
“I continue to call on President Trump to take immediate action to repeal DOGE’s policies that are crushing this hospital.
“This facility desperately needs federal investment in a new location. Instead, this Administration is nearly bringing its operations to a halt, undermining Tribal sovereignty, existing federal law, and the government-to-government relationship.
“The inherent sovereignty of Tribes is recognized in the U.S. Constitution, in treaties, and across many federal laws and policies, and it has been consistently upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court. These trust and treaty obligations require the federal government to adequately fund and staff IHS hospitals like GIMC.
“The Trump Administration’s actions are a blatant and unacceptable violation of treaty obligations and must end now.”
###