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Fact Sheet Members of Federally recognized Indian tribes and their descendants are eligible for services provided by the Indian Health Service (IHS). The IHS is an agency of the US Public Health Service, Department of Health and Human Services. The IHS operates a comprehensive health service delivery system for approximately 1.5 million of the nation's two million American Indians and Alaska Natives. Its annual appropriation is approximately $2.2 billion. The IHS strives for maximum tribal involvement in meeting the needs of its service population. There are more than 560 Federally recognized tribes in the United States. Their members live mainly on reservations and in rural communities in 35 states, mostly in the western United States and Alaska.
Mission, Goal, and Objectives Health Care Delivery Facilities Construction and Maintenance Career Opportunities IHS Headquarters and Area Offices Federal-Tribal Relationship The provision of health services grew out of this government-to-government relationship. The IHS is the principal federal health care provider and health advocate for Indian people. The principal legislation authorizing federal funds for health services to recognized Indian tribes is the Snyder Act of 1921. It authorized funds "...for the relief of distress and conservation of health... [and] for the employment of...physicians...for Indian tribes throughout the United States." Congress passed the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (Public Law 93-638, as amended) to provide tribes the option of assuming from the IHS the administration and operation of health services and programs in their communities, or to remain within the IHS direct health system. Congress consequently passed the Indian Health Care Improvement Act (Public Law 94-437) that is a health specific law that supports the options of P.L. 93-638. The goal of P.L. 94-437 is to provide the quantity and quality of health services necessary to elevate the health status of American Indians and Alaska Natives to the highest possible level and to encourage the maximum participation of tribes in the planning and management of those services. Mission, Goal, and Objectives
Health Care Delivery IHS services are provided directly and also through tribally contracted and operated health programs. Health services also include health care purchased from more than two thousand private providers. As of October 1998, the Federal system consisted of 37 hospitals, 59 health centers, 44 health stations, and 4 school health centers. Of 151 service units, 85 were operated by Tribes. In addition, 36 urban Indian health projects provide a variety of health and referral services. The IHS clinical staff consists of approximately 840 physicians, 380 dentists, 100 physician assistants, and 2,580 nurses. IHS also employs allied health professionals, such as nutritionists, health administrators, engineers, and medical records administrators. There is approximately a 10% vacancy rate for health professional positions in the IHS. Through P.L. 93-638 self-determination contracts, the tribal health programs also provide comprehensive preventive and curative services. As of March 1996, American Indian tribes and Alaska Native Corporations administered 12 hospitals, 116 health centers, 3 school health centers, 56 health stations, and 167 Alaska village clinics. All 37 hospitals operated by the IHS and all 12 of the tribally-operated hospitals are accredited by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Health Care Organizations. Of the IHS health centers, 95 percent are accredited, 87 percent of IHS health center laboratories are accredited, and 100 percent of IHS hospital laboratories are accredited. Facilities Construction and Maintenance Approximately 85 percent of American Indian and Alaska Native homes have been provided sanitation facilities since the program's inception. The IHS also funds construction of new and replacement hospitals and ambulatory care facilities and staff quarters. Career Opportunities The PHS Commissioned Officer Student Training and Extern Program provides students of the health professions the opportunity to gain experience in a health service environment during free periods of the academic year. The Indian Health Professions program provides scholarships, loans, and summer employment in return for agreements by students to serve in the IHS, tribal, or urban Indian programs. As a matter of law and policy, the IHS gives preference to qualified American Indians in applicant selection and career development training. The PHS National Health Service Corps program offers scholarships and stipends to medical students who agree to enter primary care specialties and to sign on for a minimum two-year tour of duty in PHS programs, including IHS direct and tribal programs. IHS Headquarters and Area Offices
For more information on the Indian Health Service and its programs, contact the Communications Staff, Indian Health Service, Room 6-35, Parklawn Building, 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, MD 20857. Telephone: (301) 443-3593. Fax: (301) 443-0507. |