STANTON, JOYCE INTRODUCE BIPARTISAN BILL TO IMPROVE NATIVE AMERICAN HEALTH OUTCOMES
Press Release
Reps. Greg Stanton, D-Ariz., and David Joyce, R-Ohio, today introduced the Stronger Engagement for Indian Health Needs Act, which would elevate the current role of the Indian Health Service Director to Assistant Secretary for Indian Health within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) with the goal of improving Native American health outcomes.
Specifically, the Senate-confirmed position will provide greater leadership on Indian health issues within the Administration and bring greater attention to addressing the health care status and needs of American Indians and Alaska Natives.
The Assistant Secretary would work to enhance the government-to-government relationship between Indian tribes and the United States, increase access and collaboration among agencies within HHS as Indian health policy and budgets are developed, bring much needed parity to Indian health care needs, and ensure these issues are a priority in current and future administrations.
The late Sen. John McCain first championed the proposal, introducing legislation in the mid-1990s. It passed the Senate four times, but died in the House. The issue has not been revisited since 2010, when efforts were made to include it as part of the Affordable Care Act.
"The federal government has an obligation to provide for the health care of Tribal members. Doing all we can to honor that obligation is vital, particularly as Tribal communities are once again seeing an explosion of COVID-19 cases," Stanton said. "Our bill does what should've been done years ago--elevates native voices when it comes to making federal policy that affects American Indians and Alaska Natives."
"I'm proud to join Congressman Stanton in introducing the Stronger Engagement for Indian Health Needs Act," said Joyce. "We know that federal American Indian and Alaska Native health programs continue to be plagued by challenges, and that many who rely on these services continue to experience health disparities and face barriers accessing care. By elevating the Indian Health Service Director position to Assistant Secretary for Indian Health within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, this bipartisan bill represents an important step as we seek to fulfill the federal government's sacred trust and treaty obligations to American Indians and Alaska Natives."
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