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
Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA)
The Indian Health Service (IHS) FOIA Program is committed to public service. We are stewards of the federal government who take pride in our ability to help guide the user through the FOIA process by providing an innovative and informative Freedom of Information Act Homepage.
In his January 21, 2009 Executive Order, President Obama stated in part:
"The Freedom of Information Act should be administered with a clear presumption: In the face of doubt, openness prevails. The Government should not keep information confidential merely because public officials might be embarrassed by disclosure, because errors and failures might be revealed, or because of speculative or abstract fears. Nondisclosure should never be based on an effort to protect the personal interests of Government officials at the expense of those they are supposed to serve. In responding to requests under the FOIA, executive branch agencies (agencies) should act promptly and in a spirit of cooperation, recognizing that such agencies are servants of the public."
He also stated:
"The presumption of disclosure also means that agencies should take affirmative steps to make information public. They should not wait for specific requests from the public. All agencies should use modern technology to inform citizens about what is known and done by their Government. Disclosure should be timely"
Freedom of Information Act (as amended, 1996) [PDF - 57 KB]
The full text of the President Obama's Executive Order [PDF - 52 KB].
The FOIA Improvement Act of 2016
Important Agency contacts:
Carl G. Mitchell - Indian Health Service FOIA Officer
Janet Ingersoll - FOIA Public Liaison, Government Information Specialist
Monique Hartgrove - Government Information Specialist
Where to submit your FOIA request:
Your FOIA request can be sent electronically to IHSFOIAMailbox@ihs.gov.
Please send all written FOIA requests to the Indian Health Service FOIA Office, Division of Regulatory Affairs/FOIA, 5600 Fishers Lane, Mailstop 09E70, Rockville, Maryland 20857.
If you are requesting records on behalf of another person, a consent form authorizing representation must be presented at the time you submit your FOIA request.
Please be advised:
To protect you, your families, or your patient's privacy, DO NOT include any Personally Identifiable Information (PII) or Protected Health Information (PHI).
Examples of PII and PHI are: Individual Health Condition(s), Social Security Number, Date of Birth (DOB), Patient Name (if not your own), and Patient Registration Number.
For more information regarding PII and PHI, please visit the Privacy Policy and HIPAA pages.
Do Not Send Personally Identifiable, Private or medical records information in your FOIA request.
"It is our goal to provide excellent customer service in the effort to maintain an informed citizenry"
