Provision of Indian Health Services

Provision of Indian Health Services Governmental responsibility for the provision of health services to the American Indian/Alaskan Native (AI/NI) population evolved through numerous Supreme Court decisions, treaties, Executive Orders, and legislation. Principal legislation authorizing federal funds for health services came through the Snyder Act of 1921. The Transfer Act of 1954 transferred the responsibility for Indian health services from the Bureau of Indian Affairs to the Department of Health, Education and Welfare (HEW), now the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). The Indian Health Service (IHS), an agency within DHHS, was established as the agency responsible for providing federal health services to the American Indian/Alaskan Native (AI/AN) population. The Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (Public Law 93-638, as amended) gave Tribes the option of assuming the operation of health services and community programs from Indian Health Services (IHS) or remaining within the IHS administered system. Subsequently the Indian Health Care Improvement Act (Public Law 94-437) was enacted to provide the quality and quantity of health services needed to elevate the health status of American Indians/Alaska Natives and to encourage maximum participation of tribes in the planning/management of those services.