Key Public Laws

The Indian Health Care Improvement Act of 1976 (25 U.S.C 1601, et seq.) and the Snyder Act of 1921 (25 U.S.C 13) comprise the basic legislative authority for the Indian Health Service. Listed below are these Acts along with several other Acts which give Congress appropriations for the Indian Health Service.

• Public Law 67-85 The Snyder Act, November 2, 1921---25 U.S.C 13 [PDF-59KB]
• The Indian Health Care Improvement Act.

This is a link to the IHS's Indian Health Care Improvement Act site, in its entirety. See the section entitled "437" as Codified in 1996, for the statutory language. This statutory language is available by title, for easier access and retrieval. Under this Indian Health Care Improvement Act site are other materials and information for understanding the Legislative History (evolution) of this important enactment.
• Public Law 106-417 Alaska Native and American Indian Direct Reimbursement Act, November 1, 2000[PDF-271KB]
• Indian Special Diabetes Program Act---42 U.S.C sec.254c-3   [PDF-22KB]
• Indian Health Service Transfer Act---August 5th, 1954[PDF-181KB]
• Public Law 85-151 Indian Health Facilities--August 16, 1957 [PDF-260KB]

• Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act, P.L. 93-638 as amended. [PDF-17MB]  This document consists of Title I, III, IV, V and VI of P.L. 93-638, and Title I and V regulations and relevant legislative history.