Authors: United States House of Representatives

Publication Year: 2009

Last Updated: 2016-01-07 14:22:37

Journal: NCUIH

Keywords: Access to Health Care, American Indian, Alaska Native, Indian Health Care Improvement Act, IHCIA, H.R.3200, S.1796, IHS, Indian Health Services, Medicaid

Short Abstract:

As part of its trust responsibility to Indian tribes, the Federal Government has the obligation to provide health care to Indian people. It is the mission of the Indian Health Service (IHS) to carry out this obligation primarily through the Indian Health Care Improvement Act (IHCIA). But since the IHS is funded at little more than 50% of need, the IHS has never been able to supply even the most basic package of benefits to Indian people. H.R. 3200, would make sweeping changes that will profoundly affect health care access and delivery. Tribal leaders seek to assure that the unique Indian health care delivery system through which some 1.9 million  American Indians and Alaska Natives receive their care is both protected from harm and is strengthened through this legislative process. 

Abstract: 

INDIAN COUNTRY OVERVIEW

As part of its trust responsibility to Indian tribes, the Federal Government has the obligation to provide health care to Indian people. It is the mission of the Indian Health Service (IHS) to carry out this obligation primarily through the Indian Health Care Improvement Act (IHCIA). But since the IHS is funded at little more than 50% of need, the IHS has never been able to supply even the most basic package of benefits to Indian people. H.R. 3200, would make sweeping changes that will profoundly affect health care access and delivery. Tribal leaders seek to assure that the unique Indian health care delivery system through which some 1.9 million  American Indians and Alaska Natives receive their care is both protected from harm and is strengthened through this legislative process. Thus, tribal leaders have two specific goals:

To increase opportunities for access to health care by Indian beneficiaries. This objective is advanced by H.R. 3200's provisions which would expand eligibility for Medicaid, and provide subsidies to help low/moderate income Americans obtain health insurance. All Americans, including Indians, would benefit from these policies.

To preserve the Federal trust responsibility to provide health care to Indians and to protect the unique Indian health system from inadvertent harm Both the U.S. trust responsibility to Indian tribes and the Indian health system are unique creations of the Federal government. Specific language is often required in bills of general applicability to prevent unintended adverse consequences. The Rahall amendment to H.R. 3200 would provide vital protections to both the trust responsibility and to the Indian health care system.

Source: Link to Original Article.

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