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Read. Follow. Verify.2018 Indian Health Service Budget Oversight Hearing
Record date · January 1, 2017
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What This Bill Does
This document is a transcript from a 2017 House Subcommittee hearing regarding the proposed 2018 budget for the Indian Health Service (IHS). Chairman Ken Calvert expressed concern over a proposed $301 million budget cut to the agency, noting that it fails to account for medical inflation, population growth, and staffing needs.
The proposed $301 million budget reduction for the Indian Health Service could impact the agency's ability to maintain current service levels, recruit medical staff, and address health disparities in American Indian and Alaska Native communities.
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 Indian and Alaska Native populations
These populations rely on the Indian Health Service for medical care and are affected by changes in agency funding levels.
Indian Health Service medical staff
Staff recruitment, retention, and housing availability are impacted by the agency's budget allocations.
Key Facts
- The proposed fiscal year 2018 budget for the Indian Health Service includes a $301 million (6%) reduction compared to the 2017 appropriation.
- The proposed budget does not include funding for medical inflation, population growth, or federal pay cost increases.
- The budget proposal lacks funding for replacing staff housing or expanding student loan repayment programs for medical providers.
- Contract support costs were previously fully funded to allow tribes to manage their own programs.
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- Funds for catastrophic medical costs are now estimated to last the full fiscal year, preventing mid-year service gaps.
- The subcommittee oversees budget hearings for the Indian Health Service, U.S. Forest Service, Department of the Interior, and the EPA.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the proposed budget change for the Indian Health Service in 2018?
Why is the subcommittee concerned about the proposed budget?
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News Coverage
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Votes, people, money & the original sourceFull 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.
Budgetary Contraction
The hearing highlights a significant shift from previous years of increasing funding for Indian Health Service to a proposed 6% reduction.
Connected Entities
Sources
www.govinfo.gov
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance80How much this matters to a regular citizen
- Controversy40Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment10Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz20Current news / social attention level
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