(United States Capitol, Washington, DC) – Today, Papa Ola Lōkahi’s CEO Dr. Sheri Ann Daniels appeared as a minority witness for the U.S. Senate Committee on Indian Affairs’ (SCIA) Oversight Hearing related to Federal Programs serving Native Americans across the Operating Divisions at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). We thank Chair Murkowski and Vice Chair Schatz for their leadership and the entire committee for shining a light on how HHS programs must be maintained for the betterment of native communities across the country and especially for Native Hawaiians.
Papa Ola Lōkahi was created by Congress and statutorily authorized to oversee and coordinate the improvement of the health and well-being of Native Hawaiians. It is critical that this administration uphold its federal trust responsibilities to its native peoples.
Dr. Daniels’ testimony identified public health and social services delivered and implemented for more than 35 years by the Native Hawaiian Health Care Systems, Papa Ola Lōkahi and the Native Hawaiian Health Scholarship Program. Most importantly, she presented the impacts that of these programs and services—chronic disease prevention, emergency response, cultural healing, capacity building, health workforce development, health system navigation, and more–upon which communities in rural and urban settings rely.
We stand with Dr. Daniels in her assertions that maintaining funding and functioning of both Native Hawaiian Health Programs and broader HHS programs like Medicaid, TANF and child welfare services is vital to the health and well-being of Native Hawaiians. As Congress deliberates the next fiscal year’s budget, we emphasize how critical these services are for the many Hawaiians and community-based organizations that serve Hawaiians. We support Dr. Daniels’ comments that shed light on how these proposed budget cuts impact the entire Native Hawaiian Health network.
Mahalo nui to the committee for the opportunity to highlight the services, impacts and strategies supported by the federal government.
The Senate Committee on Indian Affairs welcomes additional testimonies thru May 28, 2025. You are invited to tell your stories, which will be entered into the Congressional record.
