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Read. Follow. Verify.Senate Hearing on 2019 Indian Health Service Budget
Record date · January 1, 2017
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What This Bill Does
The Senate Subcommittee on Appropriations reviewed the proposed 2019 budget for the Indian Health Service (IHS). The hearing focused on a proposed $5.4 billion budget, concerns over facility construction cuts, the opioid crisis in Native communities, and ongoing quality-of-care issues in the Great Plains region.
The proposed budget impacts the funding levels for healthcare services provided to American Indians and Alaska Natives, including a $114 million decrease from the previous year and a 42% reduction in facility construction funds.
Who It Affects
Groups the bill's text affects, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.
American Indians and Alaska Natives
This population relies on the Indian Health Service for healthcare delivery and is impacted by changes in funding for facilities and opioid treatment programs.
IHS Medical Personnel
Staff are affected by new housing subsidies and recruitment initiatives intended to address staffing shortages in remote regions.
Key Facts
- The proposed 2019 budget for the Indian Health Service is $5.4 billion, a 2% decrease ($114 million) from the previous year.
- The budget proposes cutting facilities construction funding by 42%, from $867 million to $506 million.
- The estimated backlog for facilities construction across Indian Country is $14.5 billion.
- The budget proposes moving the $150 million Special Diabetes Program from mandatory to discretionary spending.
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- American Indians and Alaska Natives had the highest drug overdose death rates in the U.S. from 2008 to 2015.
- Drug overdose deaths among American Indians and Alaska Natives increased by 519% between 1999 and 2015.
- The IHS budget includes $150 million for opioid treatment, contingent on a broader $10 billion HHS request.
- The subcommittee previously doubled funding for accreditation emergencies from $29 million to $58 million.
- The subcommittee provided $11.5 million for staff housing to assist with recruitment in remote areas.
- The subcommittee granted new authority for direct housing subsidies for medical personnel.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is the Indian Health Service budget being cut?
What is happening with the Special Diabetes Program?
How is the government addressing the opioid crisis in Native communities?
What else do you want to know?
News Coverage
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Votes, people, money & the original sourceLobbying Activity
VAN SCOYOC ASSOCIATES
on behalf of BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF EASTERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY
VAN SCOYOC ASSOCIATES
on behalf of WATER AND SEWER DISTRIBUTORS OF AMERICA
VAN SCOYOC ASSOCIATES
on behalf of EJ WATER COOPERATIVE, INC.
LEWIS-BURKE ASSOCIATES, LLC
on behalf of UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
HARO SOLUTIONS LLC
on behalf of COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS
HOLLAND & KNIGHT LLP
on behalf of POLK COUNTY
Full breakdown
Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.
Discoveries
Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.
Shift in Diabetes Funding
The administration attempted to move the Special Diabetes Program from mandatory to discretionary funding, contradicting existing legislation.
Connected Entities
Sources
www.govinfo.gov
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance85How much this matters to a regular citizen
- Controversy60Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment30Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz40Current news / social attention level
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