User:JamieF/Indian Health Care Improvement Act

The Indian Health Care Improvement Act (IHCIA) is the legal authority for the provision of health care to American Indians and Alaskan Natives. In 1976, the initial Act amended the Social Security Act to permit Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement for services provided to American Indians and Alaskan Natives in tribal health care facilities and Indian Health Service (IHS). The Act was made permanent on March 23, 2010, as part of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, signed by President Barack Obama.

Background
The United States Government has trust responsibility to provide health care services to American Indians and Alaskan Natives. Along with the Indian Citizenship Act of 1921 or Snyder Act, the Indian Health Care Improvement Act is the basis for heath care for American Indians and Alaskan Natives; the Act helped to modernize the language for health services and expand previous laws. The IHCIA was first passed by Congress in 1976 and signed into law by President Gerald Ford, it authorized the Indian Health Service to bill Medicare and Medicaid for services. The Act also proposes the need for tribal-specific health plans and research addressing and improving Native health status, health problems, and seek culturally acceptable solutions because Native health status was ranking below the status of the general population.