What is the Indian Health Care Improvement Act?
The Indian Health Care Improvement Act (IHCIA) is a federal law in the United States that was enacted in 1976 with the purpose of improving the health of American Indians and Alaska Natives. The act is administered by the Indian Health Service (IHS), an agency within the Department of Health and Human Services that is responsible for providing health care and public health services to members of federally recognized tribes and Alaska Native people. The IHCIA was intended to make health care accessible to members of Indian tribes, ensure the availability of services in facilities that are culturally and geographically appropriate, increase the number of Native American health professionals providing services, and make sure that tribal governments have a larger role in developing and delivering health care services. The IHCIA has many provisions that relate to Native Americans in Maryland, including the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act, which gave tribal governments more control over the delivery of health care services in their communities. It also allowed for the expansion of health care services, access to mental health and substance abuse services, and health insurance coverage for Native Americans. The IHCIA also provides for the collection of data on Native Americans living in Maryland to better understand the health care needs of the community. This helps to ensure that health care services are provided in a way that is culturally and geographically appropriate. Moreover, the IHCIA has also provided funding for the construction of facilities and the expansion of existing facilities to ensure that members of Indian tribes have access to quality health care and services.
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