As a result of the current Federal government funding situation, the information on this website may not be up to date or acted upon. Updates regarding government operating status and resumption of normal operations can be found at www.opm.gov . Despite the lapse in appropriations, IHS will continue to provide direct clinical health care services as well as referrals for contracted services that cannot be provided through IHS clinics. For more information on how IHS is impacted, visit: HHS Contingency Plan
Agency Overview
The Indian Health Service (IHS), an agency within the Department of Health and Human Services, is responsible for providing federal health services to American Indians and Alaska Natives. The provision of health services to members of federally-recognized Tribes grew out of the special government-to-government relationship between the federal government and Indian Tribes. This relationship, established in 1787, is based on Article I, Section 8 of the Constitution, and has been given form and substance by numerous treaties, laws, Supreme Court decisions, and Executive Orders. The IHS is the principal federal health care provider and health advocate for Indian people, and its goal is to raise their health status to the highest possible level. The IHS provides a comprehensive health service delivery system for American Indians and Alaska Natives.
Our Mission: To raise the physical, mental, social, and spiritual health of American Indians and Alaska Natives to the highest level.
Our Goal: To ensure that comprehensive, culturally acceptable personal and public health services are available and accessible to American Indian and Alaska Native people.
Our Foundation: To uphold the Federal Government's obligation to promote healthy American Indian and Alaska Native people, communities, and cultures and to honor and protect the inherent sovereign rights of Tribes.
IHS priorities focus on People, Partnerships, Quality and Resources.
People – Recruit, develop and retain a dedicated, competent, caring workforce collaborating to achieve the IHS mission.
Partnerships – Build, strengthen and sustain collaborative relationships that advance the IHS mission.
Quality – Excellence in everything we do to assure a high-performing Indian health system.
Resources – Secure and effectively manage the assets needed to promote the IHS mission.