Pursuant to the Tribal Law and Order Act, the Government Accountability Office is conducting a review of the Indian Health Service.

The GAO will study the capabilities of IHS facilities to "collect, maintain, and secure evidence of sexual assaults and domestic violence incidents required for criminal prosecution," as dictated by the Section 266 law. The review includes facilities operated under self-determination contracts in the U.S. and in Alaska.

The GAO plans to present the results of its study to Congress by July 29, a year after the enactment of the law. A written report will be available by October 26.

People who wish to contact the GAO about this issue can do so anonymously via www.gao.gov/fraudnet/fraudnet.htm. Contact information is also listed in the document below.

Relevant Documents:
GAO Review of the Indian Health Services’ Collection and Preservation of Evidence for Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence Cases (April 2011)