The Winnebago (Neb.) Tribal Council is looking to assume management of its Indian Health Services hospital in 2018, according to the Omaha World-Herald.
The hospital lost Medicare certification in 2015. It took an additional hit in August when it was revealed up to 35 patients may have been inadvertently infected with diseases such as HIV and hepatitis when they were treated with unsterilized scalpels.
"If we want to make things better, we'll have to do it ourselves. We really have no other choice," said tribal councilman Vincent Bass, according to the Omaha World-Herald.
The council voted last week to assume control of the hospital through a federally established self-governance process. Council members hope to conclude negotiations with IHS and take control of the hospital by July 1.