What is the Indian Health Care Improvement Act?
The Indian Health Care Improvement Act (IHCIA) is a law that was passed in 1976 to improve the health care services available to Native Americans in North Carolina and other states. It provides the federal government with the authority to fund and expand health services for members of Native American tribes. The act is administered by the Indian Health Service, which is a division of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The act provides funding for medical, dental, and mental health care, as well as well-child services and public health nutrition programs for Native Americans. It also includes provisions for the construction of health care facilities, the training and hiring of health care professionals, and the provision of medical assistance and access to health care for low-income Native Americans. The IHCIA also includes elaborate requirements for the quality of care provided to Native Americans, such as the provision of appropriate cultural and customer-service protocols. The act also ensures that Native Americans have access to their traditional health practices and medicines. In North Carolina, the IHCIA is administered by the North Carolina Commission of Indian Affairs. The Commission works with local tribes, health care providers, and other organizations to ensure that Native Americans in the state have access to quality and culturally-appropriate health care services. The Commission also works to ensure that Native Americans have access to other types of services, such as legal assistance.
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