Mark Cruz (Klamath Tribes) has been nominated to be the Director of the Indian Health Service (IHS). Mr. Cruz must go through the Senate confirmation process for this position, including a hearing before the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs. We anticipate this process to begin in the coming weeks to months. Please let us know if you would like our assistance drafting a letter of support for Mr. Cruz.
Currently, Mr. Cruz serves as the Senior Advisor for Tribal Health to the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. Through this position, he coordinates policies and priorities across the many Tribal programs within HHS. He will continue in this position while he also takes on the role of IHS Director.
During the first Trump Administration, Mr. Cruz served as the Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs at the Department of the Interior, where he stood up the section 105(l) lease program. He has also worked on the Hill for Representative Tom Cole (R-OK) and former Representative Todd Rokita (R-IN).
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Inquiries may be directed to:
Elizabeth Bailey (ebailey@hobbsstraus.com)
