Mark Cruz (Klamath) Nominated to Head Indian Health Service

June 2, 2026 - 07:49

The White House announced Monday that Mark Cruz, a citizen of the Klamath Tribes, has been nominated to serve a four-year term as director of the Indian Health Service. Cruz's nomination comes after the director position sat empty since the start of the second Trump administration, following the resignation of former Director Roselyn Tso.

Cruz brings decades of experience in tribal health administration. He previously served as chief executive officer for the Klamath Tribal Health and Family Services, overseeing medical, dental, and behavioral health programs for the Klamath Tribes in Oregon. His work has focused on expanding access to care in rural and underserved Native communities.

The Indian Health Service is an agency within the Department of Health and Human Services responsible for providing federal health services to approximately 2.6 million American Indians and Alaska Natives. The agency has faced long-standing challenges including chronic underfunding, staffing shortages, and aging facilities.

If confirmed by the Senate, Cruz would inherit an agency navigating budget uncertainties and ongoing calls from tribal leaders for greater self-determination in health care delivery. Supporters say his direct experience running a tribal health system could help bridge the gap between federal bureaucracy and on-the-ground needs in Indian Country.