Representative Kennedy Introduces Bill to Strengthen Indian Health Service Workforce

On November 5, 2026, Representative Mike Kennedy (R-03-UT) introduced the IHS Workforce Parity Act (H.R. 10956). This bill allows recipients (including those who work at urban Indian organizations) of Indian Health Professions Scholarships or the Indian Health Service (IHS) Loan Repayment Program to fulfill their service obligations through half-time clinical practice.

Background

On February 19, 2025, Senator Cortez Masto (D-NV) and former Senator Mullin (R-OK), introduced the Senate version of the bill (S.632). The Senate bill was passed out of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs and is now awaiting passage in the full Senate. The National Council of Urban Indian Health has long supported this commitment to IHS workforce parity, which would help urban Indian organizations, Tribal health programs, and IHS facilities recruit and retain the providers our communities need.

Next Steps

The bill has been referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources and the House Committee on Energy and Commerce. The House Committee on Natural Resources will hold a hearing on the bill on November 19, 2026.