The state's congressional delegation and tribal officials were pressuring the Indian Health Service to postpone a planned reduction in hours at the IHS clinic in Wagner.
The Associated Press | Posted: Thursday, February 28, 2008 6:00 pm
WAGNER, S.D. — The state’s congressional delegation and tribal officials were pressuring the Indian Health Service to postpone a planned reduction in hours at the IHS clinic in Wagner.
A judge in August reversed an earlier decision and ruled the clinic should be allowed to reduce its hours because of low patient numbers and a tight budget.
The change was to take effect Saturday. The delegation sought to delay it while legislation dealing with the IHS is pending in Congress.
The Wagner clinic serves primarily the Yankton Sioux and the Santee Sioux and Ponca tribes of northeast Nebraska.
IHS officials have said the reduced hours are in response to budgetary pressures and recent low numbers of patients during what is considered after-hours emergency care.
Under the new schedule, the clinic will be open from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday through Saturday. It will be closed overnight, Sundays and holidays.