Healthcare (Tribal Nations)

in committee · United States · House Feb 18, 2025

HR 1418: Purchased and Referred Care Improvement Act of 2025

This bill amends the Indian Health Care Improvement Act to replace the term "contract health care" with "purchased/referred care" throughout federal law. It ensures patients who pay out-of-pocket for authorized purchased/referred care (such as services arranged by the Indian Health Service) can receive reimbursement from the IHS within 30 days of submitting documentation electronically or in person. The IHS must establish these reimbursement procedures within 120 days and update all relevant documents, including the Indian Health Manual, within 180 days. The changes apply to all purchased/referred care authorized by the IHS after enactment, but do not affect tribal self-determination programs unless tribes agree to the new terms.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill improves patient reimbursement access for Indian Health Service care, strengthening healthcare financial protections and access.85% confidence

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in committee · United States · Senate Jul 31, 2025

S 2616: A bill to amend the Act of October 19, 1973, to increase the maximum dollar amount of per capita shares for purposes of eligibility for financial assistance or other benefits under Federal or federally assisted programs, and for other purposes.

This bill (S 2616) increases the asset limit used to determine eligibility for federal benefits under certain programs from $2,000 to $5,000. It directly affects Native American individuals and tribes who qualify for federal assistance programs like healthcare, housing, or social services through the Indian Health Service or tribal grants. The key change amends Section 7 of the 1973 Act (25 U.S.C. 1407) to raise the maximum allowable per capita share of resources. This adjustment makes it easier for more tribal members to qualify for these benefits without losing eligibility due to higher asset thresholds.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill increases asset limits for Native American eligibility for federal healthcare benefits, expanding access to health services under Indian Health Service programs.85% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingIncreases asset limit for Native American housing assistance eligibility under federal programs, making it easier to qualify for housing benefits.85% confidence

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in committee · United States · Senate Sep 11, 2025

S 2771: Indian Programs Advance Appropriations Act of 2025

This bill requires advance funding for key tribal programs starting in fiscal year 2026. It mandates that new budget authority for specific accounts - like operations, education, health services, and construction at the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Bureau of Indian Education, and Indian Health Service - must be approved in advance for the following year, not just the current year. The bill also requires annual reports by July 31 detailing resource sufficiency, workload estimates, and future funding needs, with tribes consulted on budget planning. This directly affects tribal programs and services funded through these agencies, aiming to prevent annual funding delays.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesMandates advance appropriations for tribal programs, ensuring stable funding for essential services like health and education.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationRequires advance funding for Bureau of Indian Education (BIE) education programs, ensuring stable budget authority for tribal schools and educational services.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates advance funding for Indian Health Service and tribal health programs, strengthening healthcare access for Native communities.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Tags Tribal Nations

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in committee · United States · Senate Mar 5, 2025

S 870: Native ELDER Act

S 870, the Native ELDER Act, creates an Older Americans Tribal Advisory Committee to advise the federal government on Native American elder programs under the Older Americans Act. This committee, composed of 11 members including tribal representatives and Native Hawaiian organizations, ensures tribes and Native Hawaiians directly influence policies affecting their communities. Key provisions include amending in-home assistance to cover necessary home modifications for aging Native Americans and requiring annual reports to Congress on barriers to tribal access to elder services. The bill directly affects Native American tribes, Alaska Native groups, and Native Hawaiian organizations through mandated government-to-government consultation and program adjustments.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill creates advisory committee to improve Native American elder programs, expands in-home assistance to cover home modifications for aging Native Americans, enhancing healthcare access and services for vulnerable populations.85% confidence

Tags Seniors Tribal Nations

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in committee · United States · Senate Dec 3, 2025

S 3337: Strategic Plan for Aging Act

This bill establishes a new grant program to help states, tribes, and tribal organizations create comprehensive "Multisector Plans for Aging and Aging with a Disability" (also called Master Plans for Aging). These plans must be developed with input from diverse stakeholders - including older adults, caregivers, community groups, and local governments - to address 11 key issues like housing stability, health care access, economic security, disaster preparedness, and reducing isolation. The plans require cross-agency collaboration, regular updates every two years over a 10-year period, and must serve underserved populations such as older individuals with disabilities or from rural communities. The program authorizes $6.5 million annually (2026-2030) to support these efforts, prioritizing tribes and ensuring plans exceed current state and area-level planning requirements.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill establishes grant program to improve healthcare access for aging populations and addresses health care access as a key issue in comprehensive aging plans.85% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingMandates inclusion of housing stability in aging plans, requiring states to address housing as a key issue in comprehensive strategies.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Long-Term Care Tags Seniors Tribal Nations

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in committee · United States · House Feb 27, 2025

HR 1647: Tribal Climate Health Assurance Act of 2025

The Tribal Climate Health Assurance Act of 2025 establishes the "Climate Ready Tribes Initiative" to help tribal governments, health departments, and communities prepare for climate-related health threats. It requires the CDC, working with the National Indian Health Board, to translate climate science, create planning tools, and share resources for public health preparedness. The bill authorizes $110 million annually starting in fiscal year 2026 specifically for this initiative, with a strict rule that these funds cannot be redirected to other CDC programs. This funding directly supports tribal communities in building capacity to address health risks linked to climate change, such as extreme weather or disease spread.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAuthorizes $110M annual funding for tribal climate health initiative, directly increasing government spending on public health preparedness.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill authorizes $110M annually for Climate Ready Tribes Initiative to prepare for climate-related health threats, directly funding climate adaptation and environmental protection efforts.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAuthorizes $110M annually for CDC-led climate health preparedness with National Indian Health Board, directly funding tribal public health services to address climate-related health threats.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Climate Change Public Health Tags Tribal Nations

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in committee · United States · House Jan 15, 2025

HR 444: Native American Health Savings Improvement Act

This bill changes tax rules to allow Native Americans receiving care through the Indian Health Service (IHS) to qualify for Health Savings Accounts (HSAs). Previously, individuals using IHS services might have been disqualified from HSAs solely because of that care. The law amends the tax code to explicitly state that IHS eligibility does not disqualify someone from an HSA. The change takes effect for tax years starting after December 31, 2024.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill amends tax code to allow IHS patients access to HSAs, expanding tax-advantaged savings eligibility and providing tax relief by removing a disqualification.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAllows IHS users to access HSAs, expanding healthcare savings options and improving financial access to care for Native Americans.95% confidence

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in committee · United States · House Jul 23, 2025

HR 4722: Urban Indian Health Parity Act

The Urban Indian Health Parity Act (HR 4722) would amend the Social Security Act to extend full federal medical assistance to urban Indian health organizations. Currently, only tribal organizations receive this full federal funding level under Medicaid, but urban Indian organizations are excluded. The bill adds urban Indian organizations - defined under the Indian Health Care Improvement Act - to the list of entities eligible for full federal medical assistance when operating under a grant or contract with the Indian Health Service. This change would ensure urban Indian health organizations receive the same federal funding as tribal organizations for Medicaid services.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExtends full federal medical funding to urban Indian health organizations, expanding Medicaid coverage and access under the Indian Health Care Improvement Act.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid Tags Tribal Nations

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in committee · United States · House Jun 13, 2025

HR 4011: Community Paramedicine Act of 2025

HR 4011, the Community Paramedicine Act of 2025, creates a federal grant program to fund community paramedicine programs in rural areas. It provides grants to eligible entities - such as emergency medical services agencies, local governments, or Tribal organizations - to hire personnel, purchase equipment, cover training costs, and conduct outreach. The bill specifically reserves 15% of annual funding for programs serving Tribal communities and limits grants to $750,000 per entity (or $1.5 million for joint applications) over a maximum 5-year period. These programs aim to reduce unnecessary emergency room visits by using specially trained paramedics to address health issues and improve access to primary care for underserved populations.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareFunds community paramedicine programs in rural areas, expanding healthcare access through grants for personnel, equipment, and training in underserved communities.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals Primary Care Tags Rural Communities Tribal Nations

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in committee · United States · House Sep 18, 2025

HR 5488: Special Diabetes Program for Indians Reauthorization Act of 2025

This bill reauthorizes the Special Diabetes Program for Indians (SDPI) through fiscal year 2030, extending annual funding of $160 million per year. It directly affects American Indian and Alaska Native communities, which face significantly higher rates of diabetes, by ensuring continued federal support for diabetes prevention and treatment programs. The key provision amends the Public Health Service Act to add $160 million in annual funding for fiscal years 2026 through 2030, with funds remaining available until expended. This reauthorization maintains existing program funding levels without altering eligibility or program structure.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesReauthorizes $160M annual funding for diabetes programs in Native communities, directly increasing federal appropriations for essential health services.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareReauthorizes $160M annual funding for diabetes prevention/treatment in AI/AN communities, directly advancing public health services for a high-need population.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health Tags Tribal Nations

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