IHS resolves some contract support costs claims for $200M

Monday, April 28, 2014  

The Indian Health Service has paid $200 million to settle contract support costs claims for 22 tribes and Alaska Native organizations, KTUU reports.

South Central Foundation in Alaska received $96.5 million. They money was owed under self-determination contracts going back nearly two decades.

"We file claims pretty much every single year for the 17 years it's been in dispute," Douglas Eby, the vice president of medical services, told KTUU.

The U.S. Supreme Court has twice ruled that the IHS and the Bureau of Indian Affairs must pay full contract support costs in self-determination contracts. The agencies reportedly owe more than $1 billion in back payments.

Get the Story:
Federal Settlements for Tribal Healthcare Delivery Approaches $200 Million (KTUU 4/25)

Federal Register Notices:
Contract Support Costs (April 8, 2014)
Contract Support Costs (February 21, 2014)

Relevant Documents:
FY14 Omnibus Text & Joint Explanatory Statement | Detailed Omnibus Summary | Subcommittee Allocations

Supreme Court Decisions:
Salazar v. Ramah Navajo Chapter (June 18, 2012)
Cherokee Nation v. Leavitt:
Cherokee Nation v. Leavitt (March 1, 2005)

Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius resigns (04/11)
BIA and IHS hold another consultation on contract support costs (04/08)
Mark Begich: Pay back tribes for overdue contract support costs (03/03)
BIA and IHS schedule consultation about contract support costs (02/21)
BIA and IHS agree to fully fund contract support costs for 2014 (2/18)
Budget bill urges solution to contract support cost battle (01/15)