Indian Health Service Statement on Advance Appropriations (Department of Health and Human Services)

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Posted: January 4, 2023

Roselyn Tso, center, serves as Director of the Indian Health Service. Photo by Indianz.Com (CC BY-NC-SA 4.0)

Statement from Indian Health Service Director Roselyn Tso on historic funding for the agency

Today is a historic day for the Indian Health Service. In addition to including almost $7 billion for IHS in fiscal year 2023, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 will provide the agency with advance appropriations for the first time. This change will provide critically needed protection from budgetary uncertainty to the entire Indian health system and will align IHS with other federal health care providers. It is also a direct result of years of advocacy from tribal and urban Indian organization leaders, who have long highlighted the need for a more stable and predictable funding stream for the IHS.

Advance appropriations are necessary to ensure continued access to critical health care services for American Indians and Alaska Natives. Predictable funding will allow us to disburse funds more quickly and enable IHS, tribal and urban Indian health programs to effectively and efficiently manage budgets, coordinate care and improve health outcomes for American Indians and Alaska Natives. This predictability is especially important during a lapse in appropriations or a continuing resolution.

We want to thank Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra, Congress and the Biden Administration for their support in upholding the federal government’s commitments and assuring we will not face the negative impacts of budget uncertainty in fiscal year 2024. We would also like to especially thank the numerous tribes, tribal and urban Indian organizations and advocates who worked tirelessly to secure stable health care funding across Indian Country.

Today is a historic day for the IHS. In addition to including almost $7 billion for the agency, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 will provide advance appropriations for the first time. Read the IHS director's statement: https://t.co/vR616LSxWi #NativeHealth pic.twitter.com/EXtWOISmTl

— IndianHealthService (@IHSgov) December 23, 2022