House Unanimously Passes NCUIH-Endorsed Bipartisan Bill to Elevate Indian Health Service Leadership Within HHS

On September 15, 2026, the House unanimously passed the bipartisan Stronger Engagement for Indian Health Needs Act of 2025 (H.R.741). The bill, which was introduced in the House of Representatives by Congressmen Greg Stanton (D-AZ-04) and David Joyce (R-OH-14), would formally elevate the IHS Director’s position within the federal government, strengthening Tribal representation in federal health decision-making and reinforcing the federal government’s trust responsibility to provide health care to American Indian and Alaska Native people.

The bill was endorsed by the National Council of Urban Indian Health (NCUIH), National Congress of American Indians, and the National Indian Health Board.

Representative Stanton Press Release.

Next Steps

The bill will now need to be passed by the Senate. The Senate currently has companion legislation which was introduced by U.S. Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) and Mike Rounds (R-SD).