President Barack Obama signed H.R.623, the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium Land Transfer Act, into law on Thursday.

The bill authorizes a transfer of land from the Indian Health Service to the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium. The land will be used for a 170-room housing facility for Native patients and their families, many of whom travel from remote areas of the state.

“Many Alaskans living in rural communities travel long distances to receive medical care in Anchorage, but are unable to house themselves during their stay,” Rep. Don Young (R-Alaska) said in a press release.. “This land transfer will allow ANTHC to expand patient housing, maximize care by locating patients near the Medical Center and its resources, and save millions of dollars in transportation and housing costs."

The House passed the bill by a vote vote on October 29. The Senate passed the bill by unanimous consent on December 20.

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