IHS Consultation Policy

Tribal Consultation -- Assistant Surgeon General Letter

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Public Health Service
Rockville, MD 20857

September 16, 1997

Dear Tribal Leader:

I am pleased to forward the Indian Health Service (IHS) Tribal Consultation and Participation Policy. An initial draft policy was developed by a workgroup composed of members of the National Indian Health Board and senior IHS managers. Suggestions for improving the draft policy were encouraged and solicited by the workgroup from tribal leaders and representatives. I adopted the policy for the IHS on July 25, 1997.

Chief among the provisions of the policy is a requirement that management at all levels of the IHS establish formal processes of tribal consultation and participation. The policy has been adopted as a key element in my commitment as the Director of the Indian Health Service to prioritize the improvement of consultation and participation with tribal governments in IHS activities. I believe a true partnership between the IHS and tribal leadership can only be accomplished through the institutionalization of meaningful consultation and participation at all levels of the IHS.

Sincerely yours,

          /s/

Michael H. Trujillo, M.D., M.P.H., M.S.
Assistant Surgeon General
Director