Tag Archive for: Funding

Senate Appropriations Committee Advances Labor Health and Human Services Spending Bill, Protects Key Indian Country Programs

/in /by

On July 31, 2025, the Senate Appropriations Full Committee passed the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 appropriations bill for Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies (Labor-HHS). The bill includes $116.6 billion for the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), which is $446 million above FY 2025 levels and $22 billion above the President’s request. The committee notably did not fund the administration for a Healthy America (AHA), President Trump’s proposed new agency that would consolidate programming across SAMHSA, HRSA, and other agencies as part of its HHS reorganization.  

The committee also provided level funding for key Indian country provisions including the Improving Native American Cancer Outcomes program, Good Health and Wellness in Indian Country program, Tribal Behavioral Health Grants (Native Connections), and the Minority HIV/AIDS Fund – Tribal Set Aside. 

Background 

NCUIH worked closely with Appropriators to advocate for increased funding for Indian Country. In written testimony, NCUIH advocated for $10 million for the Improving Native American Cancer Outcomes program, $30 million for the Good Health and Wellness in Indian Country program, and to protect funding for HIV/AIDS treatment and prevention.  

Next Steps 

Senate Leadership will now work with House Leadership to develop the final LHHS appropriations spending bill. The House has not yet released their Labor-HHS appropriations bill, which is expected to be released in September. As a final appropriations bill is produced, NCUIH will continue to advocate to protect funding for Indian Country and maintain maximum funding levels. 

Bill Highlights 

Line Item  FY 2025 Enacted  FY 2026 President’s Budget Request  FY 2026 Committee Passed 
Health Resources and Services Administration $8.9 billion Fold into Administration for a Healthy America (AHA) $8.86 billion
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration $7.4 billion Fold into AHA $7.4 billion
National Institute of Health $48.6 billion $27.5 billion $48.7 billion
Centers for Disease Control $9.2 billion Fold into AHA $9.15 billion
Good Health and Wellness in Indian Country $24 million —————– $24 million
Improving Native American Cancer Outcomes $6 million —————– $6 million
Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program $2.57 billion $2.50 billion $2.57 billion
Ending the HIV Epidemic $165 million $165 million $165 million
Minority HIV/AIDS Fund $60 million Eliminated $60 million
Minority HIV/AIDS Fund – Tribal Set Aside $5 million ———— $5 million
Tribal Behavioral Health Grants (Native Connections) $23.67 million Eliminated. Created a new behavioral health program under AHA $23.67 million

Additional Key Provisions:

Health Resources and Services Administration

Federal Office of Rural Health Policy: $374 million

Bill report pg. 62: The Committee provides $373,907,000 for Rural Health programs.

  • This represents an increase of $9 million above the FY 2025 enacted level.
Native Hawaiian Health Care Program: $27 million

Bill report pg. 42: The Committee includes no less than $27,000,000 for the Native Hawaiian Health Care Program. Of the total amount appropriated for the Native Hawaiian Health Care Program, not less than $10,000,000 shall be provided to Papa Ola Lokahi for administrative purposes authorized under 42 U.S.C. 11706, including to coordinate and support healthcare service provision to Native Hawaiians and strengthen the capacity of the Native Hawaiian Health Care Systems to provide comprehensive health education and promotion, disease prevention services, traditional healing practices, and primary health services to Native Hawaiians.

National Health Service Corps: $128.6 million

Bill report pg. 43: The Committee provides $128,600,000 for the National Health Service Corps [Corps]. The Committee recognizes the success of the Corps program in building healthy communities in areas with limited access to care. The program has shown increases in retention of healthcare professionals located in underserved areas.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Good Health and Wellness in Indian Country: $24 million

Bill report pg. 82: The Committee’s recommended level includes $24,000,000 for Good Health and Wellness in Indian Country.

Office of the Secretary – General Departmental Management

Minority HIV/AIDS Fund: $56 million

Bill report pg. 237: The Committee includes $60,000,000 for the Secretary’s Minority HIV/AIDS Fund to strengthen and expand services provided by minority-serving community-based organizations [CBOs] for HIV education and awareness campaigns, testing, prevention, linkage to care, and engagement in care to racial and ethnic minority individuals at risk for or living with HIV in order to address the decline in HIV testing and the challenges with linkage to and retention in care and treatment that occurred during the COVID–19 pandemic. Funding may be prioritized for minority-serving CBOs in the South, which has the highest burden of HIV of any region nationwide. The Committee includes $5,000,000 in funding for the Tribal set aside within the MHAF. The Committee includes $5,000,000 in funding for the Tribal set aside within the MHAF.

  • The $56 million appropriated for this provision represents a $4 million decrease from the FY 2025 enacted level.

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration

National Center of Excellence for Eating Disorders: $1 million

Bill report pg. 46: Within the total for PCTE, the Committee continues to support up to $1,000,000 in coordination with SAMHSA’s Center of Excellence for Eating Disorders, to provide trainings for primary care health professionals to screen, intervene, and refer patients to treatment for the severe mental illness of eating disorders, as authorized under section 13006 of the 21st Century Cures Act (Public Law 114–255).

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Substance Abuse Prevention Services: $236.88 million

Bill report pg: 188: The Committee recommends $236,879,000 for the Center for Substance Abuse Prevention [CSAP], the sole Federal organization with responsibility for improving accessibility and quality of substance use prevention services.

Tribal Behavioral Grants (Native Connections): $23.67 million

Bill report pg. 189: SAMHSA has administered Tribal Behavioral Health Grants for mental health and substance use prevention and treatment for Tribes and Tribal organizations since fiscal year 2014. In light of the continued growth of this program, as well as the urgent need among Tribal populations, the Committee continues to urge the Assistant Secretary for SAMHSA to engage with Tribes on ways to maximize participation in this program.

Zero Suicide: $26.2 million

Bill report pg. 177: The Committee includes $38,200,000 for suicide prevention programs. Of the total, $26,200,000 is for the implementation of the Zero Suicide model, which is a comprehensive, multi-setting approach to suicide prevention within health systems. 

American Indian and Alaska Native Set Aside: $3.4 million

Bill Report pg. 178: Additionally, suicide is often more prevalent in highly rural areas and among the American Indian and Alaskan Native populations. According to the CDC, American Indian/Alaska Natives [AI/AN] have the highest rates of suicide of any racial or ethnic group in the United States. In order to combat the rise in suicide rates among this population, the Committee recommends $3,400,000 for AI/AN within Zero Suicide. 

Mental Health Services Block Grant: $1.01 billion

Bill report pg. 179: The Committee provides $1,007,571,000 for the Mental Health Block Grant. This appropriation includes $21,039,000 in transfers available under section 241 of the PHS Act (Public Law 78–410 as amended).

  • The Committee recognizes that AI/AN populations in the United States have higher rates of illicit drug use, opioid misuse, and misuse of prescription drugs compared to other racial groups. The Committee encourages SAMHSA to consider the needs of Indian Tribes and tribal organizations within the MHBG.
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: $534.62 million

Bill report pg. 174: —Suicide is a leading cause of death in the United States, claiming over 49,000 lives in 2023. The Committee provides $534,618,000 for the 988 Lifeline and Behavioral Health Crisis Services. This amount includes funding to continue to strengthen the 988 Lifeline and enable the program to continue to respond in a timely manner to an increasing number of contacts. The 988 Lifeline coordinates a network of independently operated crisis centers across the United States by providing suicide prevention and crisis intervention services for individuals seeking help. The Committee requests a briefing within 90 days of enactment, and quarterly briefings thereafter, on the 988 Lifeline spend plan and related activities.

Substance Use Prevention, Treatment, and Recovery Services Block Grant: $2.03 billion

Bill report pg. 190: The Committee acknowledges the important role of the Community Mental Health Services and Substance Use Prevention, Treatment, and Recovery Services Block Grants in supporting States’ efforts to provide resources for expanded mental health and substance use disorder treatment and prevention services. The Committee reiterates the request for a report, as included in Public Law 118–47, regarding the lack of transparency and information that is provided to Congress and the public about how States are distributing those funds and for what programs or services they are being used.

State Opioid Response Grants: $1.6 billion

Bill report pg. 186: The Committee provides $1,595,000,000 for grants to States to address the opioid crisis. Bill language provides not less than 4 percent for grants to Indian Tribes or tribal organizations. The Committee supports the 15 percent set-aside for States with the highest age-adjusted mortality rate related to substance use disorders, as authorized in Public Law 117–328. The Assistant Secretary is encouraged to apply a weighted formula within the set aside based on State ordinal ranking. Activities funded with this grant may include treatment, prevention, and recovery support services. The Committee continues to direct SAMHSA to conduct a yearly evaluation of the program to be transmitted to the Committees no later than 180 days after enactment of this act. SAMHSA is directed to make such evaluation publicly available on SAMHSA’s Web site. The Committee further directs SAMHSA to continue funding technical assistance within the administrative portion of the appropriated amounts for the SOR grants, to provide locally based technical assistance teams as has been done through the Opioid Response Network. The Committee recognizes the importance and essential work currently being done by the Opioid Response Network in delivering technical assistance to State and Territory SOR grantees, sub-recipients, and others addressing opioid use disorder and stimulant use disorder in their communities.

National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities

Improving Native American Cancer Outcomes: $6 million

Bill report pg. 142: The Committee notes that Native Americans experience overall cancer incidence and mortality rates that are strikingly higher than non-Native populations. The Committee includes $6,000,000, for the Initiative for Improving Native American Cancer Outcomes to support efforts including research, education, outreach, and clinical access related to cancer in Native American populations. The Committee further directs NIMHD to work with NCI to locate this Initiative at an NCI designated cancer center demonstrating partnerships with Indian Tribes, Tribal organizations, and urban Indian organizations to improve the screening, diagnosis, and treatment of cancers among Native Americans, particularly those living in rural communities.

Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander Health Research Office: $4 million

Bill report pg. 142 : The Committee recognizes the Federal trust responsibility to Native Hawaiians and the unique health challenges facing the Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander community. The Committee also acknowledges that there is limited health research on this community, relative to other populations, particularly that disaggregates between different subpopulations. The Committee includes $4,000,000, for the Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander Health Research Office. The Committee encourages collaboration across Institutes and with the community, including research institutions with expertise and researcher representation from the NHPI community.

Important Behavioral and Mental Health Provisions

Medication-Assisted Treatment for Prescription Drug and Opioid Addiction Tribal Set Aside: $14.5 million

Bill report pg. 184: The Committee includes $111,000,000 for medication-assisted treatment, of which $14,500,000 is for grants to Indian Tribes, tribal organizations, or consortia. These grants should target States with the highest age adjusted rates of admissions, including those that have demonstrated a dramatic age-adjusted increase in admissions for the treatment of opioid use disorders. The Committee continues to direct the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment to ensure that these grants include as an allowable use the support of medication-assisted treatment and other clinically appropriate services to achieve and maintain abstinence from all opioids, including programs that offer low-barrier or same day treatment options.

Peer-Support Specialists: $14 million

Bill report pg. 47: Within BHWET, the Committee includes $14,000,000 to fund training, internships, and certification for mental health and substance use peer support specialists to create an advanced peer workforce prepared to work in clinical settings.

Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Program: $15 million

Bill report pg. 161: The Committee provides $15,000,000 for grants to entities such as State agencies, Tribal communities, universities, or medical centers that are in different stages of developing infant and early childhood mental health services. These entities should have the capacity to lead partners in systems-level change, as well as building or enhancing the basic components of such early childhood services, including an appropriately trained workforce. Additionally, the Committee recognizes the importance of early intervention strategies to prevent the onset of mental disorders, particularly among children. Recent research has shown that half of those who will develop mental health disorders show symptoms by age 14. The Committee encourages SAMHSA to work with States to support services and activities related to infants and toddlers, such as expanding the infant and early childhood mental health workforce; increasing knowledge of infant and early childhood mental health among professionals most connected with young children to promote positive early mental health and early identification; strengthening systems and networks for referral; and improving access to quality services for children and families who are in need of support.

Administration for Community Living

Native American Caregiver Support Program: $24 million

Bill report pg. 225: American Caregiver Support program. This program provides grants to Tribes for the support of American Indian, Alaskan Native, and Native Hawaiian families caring for older relatives with chronic illness or disability, as well as for grandparents caring for grandchildren.

House Appropriations Subcommittee examines IHS Fiscal Year 2026 Budget, Bipartisan Lawmakers Defend Stable Funding for IHS

/in /by

On June 5, the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies held a hearing where Acting Indian Health Service (IHS) Director Benjamin Smith and Chief Financial Officer Jillian Curtis testified on the President’s Fiscal Year 2026 budget request for IHS, which notably does not include advance appropriations. Members from both sides of the aisle expressed commitment to retain advanced appropriations for IHS. Questions covered support for deepened urban consultation, staffing needed for the June 2026 electronic health record launch, and continued investment in the Special Diabetes Program for Indians and related food-as-medicine pilots.

Hearing Highlights

The discussion covered core operational challenges and featured direct reference to an Urban Indian Organization (UIO) in Utah. Below are the main points raised by members and witnesses.

  • Advanced Appropriations for IHS: Bipartisan support for advance appropriations was clear. Members from both parties emphasized that advance appropriations remain essential for keeping IHS hospitals and clinics open during funding lapses like government shutdowns. House Appropriations Chairman Tom Cole (Chickasaw, R-OK-04) reiterated his support, saying, “One thing I can assure you, we didn’t get here to give it up; Congress will keep advance appropriations in place,” despite its omission from the FY 2026 request. 
  •  Urban Indian Organization Services: Rep. Celeste Maloy (R-UT-02) praised the Urban Indian Center of Salt Lake and asked how Congress can bolster urban Native health; Director Smith cited stronger consultation and issue-tracking, including UIO feedback.
  • Electronic Health Record modernization: Chair Simpson (R-ID-02) asked whether the new Oracle-Cerner platform will turn on in June 2026; Director Smith confirmed the schedule and acknowledged that “about fifty specialized positions remain open” and that IHS staffing is “still hovering near thirty percent vacant.” If vacancies persist, Ranking Member Chellie Pingree (D-ME-01) pressed for contingency plans. 
  • Special Diabetes Program for Indians (SDPI): Rep. Betty McCollum (D-MN-04) highlighted the fact that eighty percent of SDPI grants now target youth prevention, calling the program “a model the rest of public health should copy.” Members from both parties applauded complementary “food-as-medicine” pilots such as Produce Prescription.
  • Workforce Pipeline: Ranking Member Chellie Pingree (D-ME-01) urged IHS to widen its scholarship and loan-repayment programs by co-funding new rural residency rotations with the Veterans Health Administration and HRSA. Smith said the inter-agency task force is “standing up the first joint primary-care rotations for 2026 graduates” and will report back on early recruitment data.

What’s Next

House Interior Appropriations will propose their budget on the June 23 subcommittee markup and the June 26 full committee markup.

Background

Read our full analysis of the proposed budget: ANALYSIS: President Trump Proposes Increase for Indian Health Service, Stable Funding for Urban Indian Health for FY 2026

20 Senators Request Protected Funding for IHS and Increased Resources for Urban Indian Health in FY 2026

/in /by

On May 21, 2025, 19 Senators joined Senator Tina Smith (D-MN) in her letter to Chair Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Ranking Member Jeff Merkley (D-OR) of the Senate Interior Appropriations Committee requesting funding for urban Indian health at the highest level possible—up to the Tribal Formulation Workgroup’s request of $770.5 million—and retaining advance appropriations for the Indian Health Service (IHS) in the final fiscal year (FY) 2026 Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act.

The 20 Senators requested full funding for urban Indian health as part of the Tribal Formulation Workgroup’s topline request of $63.04 billion for IHS in FY 2026, and that such an increase not be paid for by diminishing funding for already hard-pressed IHS and Tribal providers. The letter also requests the Appropriations Committee maintain advance appropriations for IHS for FY 2027.

The letter emphasizes the critical role that Urban Indian Organizations (UIOs) play in the health care delivery to American Indian and Alaska Native patients and the importance of providing UIOs with the necessary funding to continue to provide quality, culturally competent care to their communities. On May 15, 2024, a group of 61 Representatives sent a letter to the House Interior Appropriations Committee with the same requests.

The letter also notes that chronic underfunding of IHS and urban Indian health has contributed to the health disparities among American Indian and Alaska Native people living in urban areas that suffer greater rates of chronic disease, infant mortality, and suicide compared to other populations.

This letter sends a clear and powerful message to Chair Murkowski and Ranking Member Merkley and the members of the Senate that funding for urban Indian health must be significantly increased to fulfill the federal government’s trust responsibility to provide quality healthcare to all American Indian and Alaska Native people.

NCUIH is grateful for the support of the following Senators:

  1. Tina Smith (D-MN)
  2. Maria Cantwell (D-WA)
  3. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY)
  4. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT)
  5. Ben Ray Luján (D-NM)
  6. Andy Kim (D-NJ)
  7. Michael Bennet (D-CO)
  8. Elissa Slotkin (D-MI)
  9. Alex Padilla (D-CA)
  10. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA)
  11. Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV)
  12. Ron Wyden (D-OR)
  13. Tammy Duckworth (D-IL)
  14. Edward Markey (D-MA)
  15. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN)
  16. Tammy Baldwin (D-WI)
  17. Jacky Rosen (D-NV)
  18. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD)
  19. Mark Kelly (D-AZ)
  20. Richard Durbin (D-IL)

Full Letter Text

Dear Chair Murkowski and Ranking Member Merkley,

We write to thank you for your proven commitment to the Indian health system, including Urban Indian Organizations (UIOs), and to request you continue your support by funding urban Indian health at the highest level possible, up to the demonstrated need of $770,528,000,[1] and retaining advanced appropriations for the Indian Health Service (IHS) in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act.

These requests reflect the full need for urban Indian health determined by the Tribal Budget Formulation Workgroup, which is comprised of Tribal leaders representing all twelve IHS service areas. The Workgroup recommended this funding amount for urban Indian health as a part of a $63.04 billion topline recommendation for the Indian Health Service. UIOs are an important part of the IHS, which oversees a three-prong system for the provision of health care: Indian Health Service, Tribal Programs, and Urban Indian Organizations (I/T/U).

UIOs are on the front lines in working to provide for the health and well-being of American Indians and Alaska Natives living outside of Tribal jurisdictions. They serve patients from over 500 federally-recognized Tribal Nations in 38 urban areas across the country. UIOs are not eligible for other federal line items that IHS and Tribal facilities are, like hospitals and health clinics money, purchase and referred care dollars, or IHS dental services dollars. Therefore, this funding request is essential to providing quality, culturally-competent health care to AI/AN people living in urban areas.

Chronic underfunding of IHS and urban Indian health has contributed to the health disparities among AI/AN people. Additionally, AI/AN people living in urban areas suffer greater rates of chronic disease, infant mortality, and suicide compared to all other populations. Urban Native populations are less likely to receive preventive care and are less likely to have health insurance. Additional funding is critical to addressing this disparity.

In order to fulfill the federal government’s trust responsibility to all AI/AN people to provide quality healthcare, funding for urban Indian health must be significantly increased. It is also imperative that such an increase not be paid for by diminishing funding for already hard-pressed IHS and Tribal providers. The solution to address the unmet needs of urban Native and all AI/AN people is an increase in the overall IHS budget.

Thank you for your continued support of urban Indian health and your consideration of this important request.

[1] https://legacy.nihb.org/resources/NIHB-FY26-Budget.pdf

NCUIH 2025 Policy Priorities Released

/in /by

NCUIH 2025 Policy Priorities

The National Council of Urban Indian Health (NCUIH) is pleased to announce the release of its 2025 Policy Priorities document, which outlines a summary of urban Indian organization (UIO) priorities for the Executive and Legislative branches of the government for 2025. These priorities were informed by NCUIH’s 2024 Policy Assessment.

NCUIH hosted five focus groups to identify UIO policy priorities for 2025, as they relate to Indian Health Service (IHS)- designated facility types (full ambulatory, limited ambulatory, outreach and referral, and outpatient and residential). NCUIH worked with UIOs to identify policy priorities in 2025 under eight themes:

  • Funding for Native Health Initiatives
  • Elevating Native Voices and Fostering Dialogue
  • Strengthening Health Outcomes: Addressing Social Determinants of Health
  • Honoring Promises to Native Veterans
  • Revitalizing Native Health: Embracing Traditional Healing and Behavioral Wellness
  • “Not One More’: Healing Generational Trauma and Protecting Native Lives
  • Addressing Workforce Recruitment and Retention Challenges
  • Improving the Indian Health Service
Read the 2025 Policy Priorities

2025 Policy Priorities:

FUNDING FOR NATIVE HEALTH INITIATIVES
Increasing Funding for Indian Health Service (IHS) and Urban Indian Health
  • Appropriate the Maximum Amount Possible for IHS and Fund Urban Indian Health at $100 million.
  • Support Participation and Continued Inclusion of Urban Indian Organizations in the IHS Budget Formulation Process.
Protecting Funding for Native Health from Political Disagreements
  • Maintain Advance Appropriations for IHS to Insulate the Indian Health System from Government Shutdowns
  • and to Protect Patient Lives.
  • Transition IHS from Discretionary to Mandatory Appropriations.
  • Transition Contract Support Costs and 105 (l) Leases to Mandatory Appropriations.
Meeting the Trust Obligation for IHS-Medicaid Beneficiaries Receiving at Urban Indian Organizations (UIOs)
  • Pass the Urban Indian Health Parity Act to Ensure Permanent Full (100%) Federal Medical Assistance
  • Percentage (FMAP) for Services Provided at UIOs (100% FMAP for UIOs).
  • Ensure that All American Indian and Alaska Native People are Exempt from Medicaid Work Requirements.
  • Allow for Audio-Only Telehealth Services for Medicare Beneficiaries at UIOs through the Telehealth for Tribal Communities Act.
Transforming Health Care Resources in Indian Country and Beyond
  • Decrease Competition and Reduce Barriers to Access to Ensure Equitable Distribution of Grant Funding.
ELEVATING NATIVE VOICES AND FOSTERING DIALOUGE
Inclusion of Urban Native Communities in Resource Allocation
  • Ensure Critical Resource and Funding Opportunities are Inclusive of Urban Native Communities and the Urban Indian Organizations that Help Serve Them.
STRENGTHENING HEALTH OUTCOMES: ADDRESSING SOCIAL DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH
Improving Native Maternal and Infant Health
  • Strengthen the Ability of the Advisory Committee on Infant and Maternal Mortality to Address Native Maternal and Infant Health.
  • Improve Funding Access for Urban Indian Organizations to expand Housing Services.
Improving Food Security for Urban American Indian and Alaska Native People
  • Increase Access to U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Resources and Funding Opportunities for Urban American Indian and Alaska Native Communities and the Urban Indian Organizations that Serve Them.
  • Increase Urban Indian Organization Access to Fresh and Traditional Foods Through Increased Funding for the IHS Produce Prescription Pilot Program.
  • Permanently Reauthorize and Increase Funding for the Special Diabetes Program for Indians (SDPI) at a Minimum of $250 Million Annually
Including Urban American Indian and Alaska Native People in Preparing and Protecting Their Communities
  • Increase Emergency Preparedness through the Passage of the CDC Tribal Public Health Security and Preparedness Act.
HONORING THE PROMISES TO NATIVE VETERANS
Improving American Indian and Alaska Native Veteran Health Outcomes
  • Engage with Urban Indian Organizations to Successfully Implement the Interagency Initiative to Address Homelessness for Urban American Indians and Alaska Native Veterans.
REVITALIZING NATIVE HEALTH: EMBRACING TRADITIONAL HEALING AND BEHAVIORAL WELLNESS
Improving Behavioral Health for All American Indian and Alaska Native People
  • Increase Funding for Behavioral Health and Substance Use Disorder Resources for American Indian and Alaska Native People.
  • Respond to the Significant Increase in Overdose Deaths in Indian Country.
  • Pass the Comprehensive Addiction Resources Emergency (CARE) Act.
Improving Health Outcomes Through Traditional Healing and Culturally Based Practices
  • Improve Funding Access for Urban Indian Organizations to Expand Traditional Healing and Culturally Based Practices.
“NOT ONE MORE”: HEALING GENERATIONAL TRAUMA AND PROTECTING NATIVE LIVES
Healing from Federal Boarding Schools
  • Support Federal Initiatives to Allow the Indian Health Service to Support Healing from Boarding School Policies.
Ending the Epidemic of Missing or Murdered Indigenous Peoples (MMIP)
  • Pass the Bridging Agency Data Gaps and Ensuring Safety (BADGES) for Native Communities Act.
  • Honor Executive Order 14053: Improving Public Safety and Criminal Justice for Native Americans and
  • Addressing the Crisis of Missing or Murdered Indigenous People by Including Urban Indian Organizations in Prevention and Intervention Efforts.
ADDRESSING WORKFORCE RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION CHALLENGES
Improving the Indian Health Workforce
  • Include Urban Indian Organizations in the national Community Health Aide Program (CHAP).
  • Improve the Indian Health Workforce through the Placement of Residents at Urban Indian Organizations through the Department of Veterans Affairs Pilot Program on Graduate Medical Education and Residency Program (PPGMER).
  • Enable Urban Indian Organizations to Fill Critical Workforce Needs through University Partnerships by Passing the Medical Student Education Authorization Act.
  • Extend Federal Health Benefits to Urban Indian Organizations.
  • Improve Recruitment and Retention of Physicians at Urban Indian Organizations by Reintroducing the IHS Workforce Parity Act.
  • Increase Tax Fairness for Loan Repayment for Urban Indian Organization Staff by Reintroducing the Indian Health Service Health Professions Tax Fairness Act.
  • Permit U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Officers to be Detailed to Urban Indian Organizations.
  • Improve Community Health Worker Coverage at Urban Indian Organizations through the Introduction of the Community Health Workers Access Act.
Accurately Account for Provider Shortages
  • Engage with the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) so that Urban Indian Organizations receive Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA) Scores that Accurately Reflect the Level of Provider Shortage for Urban Indian Organization Service Areas.
IMPROVING THE INDIAN HEALTH SERVICE
Bridging the Gap: Enhancing Patient Care by Advancing Health Information Technology
  • Improve Health Information Technology, Including Electronic Health Records Systems.
Elevate the Health Care Needs of American Indian and Alaska Native People Within the Federal Government
  • Pass the Stronger Engagement for Indian Health Needs Act to elevate the IHS Director to Assistant Secretary for Indian Health.

Bipartisan Group of 61 Congressional Leaders Request Protection of IHS Funding and Increased Resources for Urban Indian Health

/in /by

On May 15, 2025, 60 Congressional leaders joined Representative Leger Fernandez in her letter to Chairman Simpson and Ranking Member Pingree of the House Interior Appropriations Committee requesting a minimum of $100 million for Urban Indian Health, maintaining advance appropriations for the Indian Health Service (IHS), and protecting IHS from sequestration in the final fiscal year (FY) 2026 Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act. The letter emphasizes that the federal government has a trust responsibility to provide federal health services to maintain and improve the health of American Indian and Alaska Native people.

The bipartisan group of 61 Congressional leaders reiterated their support for the House Appropriations Committee’s inclusion of advance appropriations for IHS for FY 2026 in the recent Continuing Resolution. Previously, IHS was the only federal health care provider funded through annual appropriations. Without advance appropriations, IHS is subject to the negative impacts of government shutdowns and continuing resolutions that can lead to serious disruptions in urban Indian organizations ability to provide critical patient services. The continued inclusion of advance appropriations is a crucial step toward ensuring long-term stable funding for IHS. 

This letter sends a powerful message to Chairman Simpson and Ranking Member Pingree, and Members of Congress that in order to fulfill the federal government’s trust responsibility to all Native people to provide safe and quality healthcare, funding for IHS must be significantly increased.

NCUIH is grateful for the support of the following Representatives:

  • Teresa Leger Fernandez (D-NM-3)
  • Jeff Hurd (R-CO-3)
  • Don Bacon (R-NE-2)
  • Dusty Johnson (R-SD-At Large)
  • Jared Huffman (D-CA-2)
  • Raul Ruiz (D-CA-25)
  • Kim Schrier (D-WA-8)
  • Gwen Moore (D-WI-4)
  • Seth Moulton (D-MA-6)
  • Stephen Lynch (D-MA-8)
  • Mark Takano (D-CA-39)
  • Kristen McDonald Rivet (D-MI-8)
  • Ilhan Omar (D-MN-5)
  • Haley Stevens (D-MI-11)
  • Jimmy Panetta (D-CA-19)
  • Ro Khanna (D-CA-17)
  • Shontel Brown (D-OH-11)
  • Greg Stanton (D-AZ-4)
  • Pramila Jayapal (D-WA-7)
  • Julie Johnson (D-TX-32)
  • Juila Brownley (D-CA-26)
  • Steve Cohen (D-TN-9)
  • Doris Matsui (D-CA-7)
  • Timothy Kennedy (D-NY-26)
  • Yassamin Ansari (D-AZ-3)
  • Diana DeGette (D-CO-1)
  • Melanie Stansbury (D-NM-1)
  • Gabe Vasquez (D-NM-2)
  • Salud Carabajal (D-CA-24)
  • Sharice Davids (D-KS-3)
  • Brittany Pettersen (D-CO-7)
  • Chris Deluzio (D-PA-17)
  • Jared Golden (D-ME-2)
  • Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL-8)
  • Chuy Garcia (D-IL-4)
  • Nanette Diaz Barragan (D-CA-44)
  • Jahana Hayes (D-CT-5)
  • Gilbert Ray Cisneros, Jr. (D-CA-31)
  • Juan Vargas (D-CA-52)
  • Shomari Figures (D-AL-2)
  • Adam Smith (D-WA-9)
  • Sara Jacobs (D-CA-51)
  • Jared Moskowitz (D-FL-23)
  • William R. Keating (D-MA-9)
  • Greg Casar (D-TX-35)
  • Janelle S. Bynum (D-OR-5)
  • Maxine Dexter (D-OR-5)
  • Robin Kelly (D-IL-2)
  • Val Hoyle (D-OR-4)
  • Joe Neguse (D-CO-2)
  • Jim Costa (D-CA-21)
  • Zoe Lofgren (D-CA-18)
  • Scott Peters (D-CA-50)
  • Darren Soto (D-FL-9)
  • Kevin Mullin (D-CA-15
  • Luz Rivas (D-CA-29)
  • Rick Larsen (D-WA-2)
  • Sam Liccardo (D-CA-16)
  • Hillary Scholten (D-MI-3)
  • Steven Horsford (D-NV-4)
  • Linda Sanchez (D-CA-38)

Full Letter Text

Dear Chairman Simpson and Ranking Member Pingree:

We write to thank you for your proven commitment to the Indian healthcare system, including Urban Indian Organizations (UIOs), and to request your continued support by funding Urban Indian Health at the highest possible level, with a minimum of $100 million, which is in line with the House proposed amount for FY 2025. Additionally, we would like to request that you retain advance appropriations for the Indian Health Service (IHS) in FY 2027 and protect IHS from sequestration in the final FY 2026 Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act.

The federal government has a trust responsibility to provide federal health services to maintain and improve the health of American Indian and Alaska Native people.  According to the Tribal Budget Formulation Workgroup (TBFWG), a workgroup comprised of Tribal leaders representing all twelve IHS service areas and serving all 574 federally recognized Tribes, “only a significant increase to the Urban Indian Health line item will allow UIOs to increase and expand services to address the needs of their Native patients, support the hiring and retention of culturally competent staff, and open new facilities to address the growing demand for UIO services.” American Indians and Alaska Natives experience major health disparities compared to the general U.S. population, including lower life expectancy, higher rates of infant and maternal mortality, and psychological or behavioral health issues. This is true regardless of where an American Indian or Alaska Native person lives. A lack of sufficient federal funding for the Indian Health Service budget plays a significant role in these continuing devastating health disparities, as the Indian health system simply does not have the necessary financial resources and support to address these inequities.

The lack of federal funding is deeply impactful for UIOs who are on the front lines in working to provide for the health and well-being of American Indian and Alaska Native people living outside of Tribal jurisdictions. UIOs are an integral part of the Indian health system, comprised of the Indian Health Service, Tribes, and UIOs (collectively I/T/U), and provide essential healthcare services, including primary care, behavioral health, and social and community services, to patients from over 500 Tribes in 38 urban areas across the United States. Unfortunately, despite being an integral part of the I/T/U system UIOs are chronically underfunded. The urban Indian health line item historically makes up only one percent (1 percent) of IHS’ annual appropriation and UIOs often only receive direct funding from the urban Indian health line item. UIOs generally do not receive direct funds from any other distinct IHS accounts, including the Hospital and Health Clinics, Indian Health Care Improvement Fund, Health Education, Indian Health Professions, or any of the line items under the IHS Facilities account.

Without a significant increase to the Urban Indian Health line item, UIOs will continue to be forced to operate on limited and inflexible budgets that limit their ability to fully address the needs of their patients. Current funding levels pose challenges for UIOs in offering competitive salaries to attract and retain qualified staff who are essential for delivering quality care to their communities. Additionally, UIOs need resources to expand their services and programs, including addressing pressing issues such as food insecurity, behavioral health challenges, and rising facilities costs. By providing UIOs with the necessary resources, we can ensure that American Indian and Alaska Native people receive the comprehensive and culturally competent healthcare services they deserve.

We appreciate the inclusion of advanced appropriations for IHS for FY 2026 in the recent Continuing Resolution. Because of this inclusion, the I/T/U system has been able to operate normally and without fear of funding lapses during the FY 2026 appropriations negotiation process. We emphasize that advanced appropriations are a crucial step towards ensuring long-term, stable funding for IHS and, therefore, it is imperative that you include advance appropriations for IHS FY 2027 in the final FY 2026 Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act. Further, for the reasons discussed above, we request that you protect IHS from any sequestration measures taken in this Act, as IHS, and the urban Indian line item, cannot afford any funding reduction.

Thank you for your consideration of our request.

Coalition of Health Organizations Request Congress Increase Funding for Key IHS Resources in FY 2026 to Address Native American Health Needs

/in /by

On April 29, 2025, the American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) Health Partners, a coalition of health organizations dedicated to improving health care for AI/AN people, sent letters to House and Senate Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Subcommittee leadership regarding the fiscal year (FY) 2026 appropriations. The coalition emphasized that without sustained investment in the Indian Health Service (IHS), persistent health disparities facing AI/AN communities will continue to worsen.

Letter Highlights

In the letter, the coalition outlined three critical areas for increased investment:

Loan repayment and scholarships: The coalition requested an $18 million increase to the IHS Loan Repayment and Scholarship Programs to help close the 30% provider vacancy rate identified by IHS. The funding would support hiring approximately 400 additional providers.

Staff Quarters: The coalition requested $11 million for new and replacement staff quarters. The letter underscored the urgent need for new and renovated staff housing, especially in rural and remote IHS service areas. Many existing staff quarters are over 40 years old and in disrepair.

Medical and Diagnostic Equipment: Outdated or obsolete medical devices continue to hinder the quality of care across the IHS/Tribal/Urban Indian (I/T/U) system. The coalition urged Congress to fund the Indian Health Facilities equipment account at no less than $42.8 million—the amount approved by the House in FY 2024—to help modernize diagnostic and treatment tools.

The AI/AN Health Partners also reminded Congress of the broader implications of underfunding IHS, highlighting health disparities for AI/AN people due to poor access to health care. Only with sufficient resources will IHS be able to fulfill the federal government’s trust responsibility to provide quality healthcare services to AI/AN people no matter where they live. resources to meet its mission to raise the physical, mental, social, and spiritual health of American Indians and Alaska Natives to the highest level.”

About the AI/AN Health Partners

The AI/AN Health Partners is a coalition of health organizations dedicated to improving health care for AI/ANs. Members of this coalition, all of whom signed the letters to the House and Senate appropriators, include:

  • Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
  • American Academy of Pediatrics
  • American Association of Colleges of Nursing
  • American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
  • American Dental Association
  • American Dental Education Association
  • American Medical Association
  • American Psychological Association Services
  • Association of Diabetes Care & Education Specialists
  • Commissioned Officers Association of the USPHS
  • National Kidney Foundation 

Full Letter Text

The full text of the AI/AN Health Partners letter to Senate appropriators can be found below:

Dear Chairman Simpson and Ranking Member Pingree:

The AI/AN Health Partners is a coalition of health organizations dedicated to improving health care for American Indians and Alaska Natives (AI/ANs). AI/ANs face substantially poorer health outcomes, and higher mortality and morbidity rates than the general population. The Indian Health Service (IHS) is critical to how they access health care. However, the IHS must have sufficient resources to meet its mission to raise the physical, mental, social, and spiritual health of American Indians and Alaska Natives to the highest level.

We appreciate the continued support the Committee has given to the Indian Health Service.   We know that you have listened to testimony from tribes and tribal organizations stressing the importance of maintaining the best possible health care system for AI/ANs.   We ask that you continue that support for the FY 2026 Indian Health Service appropriation.

Over the years, our mutual goals have not deviated.  Instead, they have only become more urgent.  To provide health care for AI/ANs at a level equivalent to the rest of the nation there must be strong support for increasing and maintaining a robust health care system.  We believe that there are three initial steps to accomplish this:

  • Loan repayment and scholarships: Increase funding for Health Professions Loan Repayment and Scholarships.  For FY 2025, we requested an $18,000,000 increase in this account.   Recently, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr, cited the 30 percent health care provider vacancy rate for the Service.   It has been estimated that it would take approximately $18,000,000 to close this gap and allow the IHS to hire about 400 more providers.
  • Staff quarters: Identify specific funding to address the need to provide decent staff quarters at existing healthcare facilities.  Many of the 2,700 staff quarters in the IHS health delivery system are more than 40 years old and in need of major renovation or total replacement. Additionally, in several locations, the number of housing units is insufficient. Decent and adequate staff quarters, especially in remote areas, is necessary for attracting and keeping health care providers in Indian Country.  We endorsed the Administration’s request for $11 million for new and replacement staff quarters for FY 2025.  We continue to support this request for FY 2026.
  • Medical and diagnostic equipment: Health care professionals need modern equipment to make accurate clinical diagnoses and prescribe effective medical and dental treatments. The IHS/Tribal/Urban Indian (I/T/U) health programs manage approximately 90,000 devices consisting of laboratory, imaging, patient monitoring, pharmacy, and other biomedical, diagnostic, and patient equipment. However, many of these facilities use outdated equipment like analog mammography machines. In some cases, they are using equipment that is no longer manufactured. Today’s medical devices/systems have an average life expectancy of approximately six to eight years. The IHS has calculated for several years that to replace the equipment at the end of its six to eight-year life would require approximately $100 million per year. For three fiscal years, this account has been frozen at $32,598,000. We urge the Committee for FY 2026 to fund the Indian Health Facilities equipment account at the House-approved FY 2024 amount of at least $42,862,000. 

In closing we are reminded of inspiring and guiding words from Native Americans: 

“Let us put our minds together and see what kind of life we can make for our children.”  Sitting Bear

“Look and listen for the welfare of the whole people, and have always in view not only the present, but also coming generations – the unborn of the future nation.”  Constitution of the Iroquois Confederation

Thank you for considering our IHS funding requests for FY 2026.  We look forward to working with you to ensure the best possible health care for American Indians and Alaska Natives.

Action Alert: Contact Congress to Protect Funding for Indian Health TODAY

/in /by

Dear Advocates,

We need your help contacting Congress to support access to health care for Native communities!

Representative Teresa Leger Fernández is leading a letter to support funding for Urban Indian Health in the FY26 budget. The letter also includes a request to retain advance appropriations for the Indian Health Service (IHS) in FY27 and protect IHS from sequestration.

While the President’s budget says IHS funding will be preserved, it is crucial to notify Congress of your support for IHS and Urban Indian Health. We encourage you to contact your Member of Congress and request that they sign on to the Leger Fernández Urban Indian Health letter.

You can use the text below as a template to call and/or email your Representative. If you can please, call and email your representative. You can find your representative here.

Thank you for your leadership. Your outreach on this is invaluable to providing greater access to health care for American Indian and Alaska Native people.

Sincerely,

The National Council of Urban Indian Health

 

Ways to Advocate

Contact Congress | Post on Social Media

 

CONTACT CONGRESS

Step 1: Copy the email below.

Step 2: Find your representative here.

Step 3: Go to their website and click contact.

Step 4: Paste the email into the form and send. Please contact Jeremy Grabiner (policy@ncuih.org) with questions.

Email to Your Representative

Dear Representative [NAME],

As an urban Indian health advocate, I respectfully request that you sign on to the Leger Fernández letter to the House Committee on Appropriations in support of funding for the Urban Indian Health line item for FY26.

Indian Health Service (IHS) funded Urban Indian Organizations (UIOs) provide essential healthcare services to patients from over 500 Tribes in 38 urban areas across the United States. As an integral part of the Indian health care delivery system, IHS UIOs are innovative stewards who use scarce federal resources to provide services to American Indian and Alaska Native patients. The Urban Indian Health line item historically makes up only one percent (1%) of IHS’ annual appropriation, and UIOs often only receive direct funding from the Urban Indian Health line item.

The letter requests funding for Urban Indian Health, IHS advance appropriations for FY27, and to protect IHS from sequestration. I respectfully ask that you help honor the federal trust obligation to provide health service to American Indian and Alaska Natives, no matter where they live by signing on to this letter.

Sign on to the letter by reaching out to Sofia Mingote (sofia.mingote@mail.house.gov) with any questions.

Thank you for your leadership and your commitment to urban Indian health.

Sincerely,

[contact information]

POST ON SOCIAL MEDIA

Example post:

We need your help to support urban American Indian and Alaska Native communities! Indian Health Service funded Urban Indian Organizations provide essential healthcare services to American Indian and Alaska Native patients from over 500 Tribes in 38 urban areas across the United States. Call on your Representative TODAY and urge them to sign on to the Leger Fernández Urban Indian Health funding letter.

NCUIH Contact:Meredith Raimondi, Vice President of Policy and Communications,  mraimondi@ncuih.org

NCUIH Supports Tribal Sovereignty

NCUIH respects and supports Tribal sovereignty and the unique government-to-government relationship between our Tribal Nations and the United States. NCUIH works to support those federal laws, policies, and procedures that respect and uplift Tribal sovereignty and the government-to-government relationship. NCUIH does not support any federal law, policy, or procedure that infringes upon, or in any way diminishes, Tribal sovereignty or the government-to-government relationship.