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Indian Health Service
NEWS RELEASE
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IHS-18-2002
August 28, 2002
FOR IMMEDIATE
RELEASE
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Contact:
(301) 443-3593, FAX (301) 443-0507
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Department of Health and Human Services Signs
Contract with
Navajo Nation to Provide Health Care Services
In
the past few weeks the Navajo Nation has taken steps to assume
control of approximately 19.5% of the federal funds and health
programs formerly managed by the Indian Health Service (IHS),
an agency within the Department of Health and Human Services
(HHS), by signing three contracts for the assumption of federal
health care services.
"I applaud the Navajo Nation and
commend President Kelsey Begaye for taking this step toward
strengthening our partnership in providing health services for
the Navajo people," said HHS Secretary Tommy G. Thompson.
"The Department and the Navajo Nation share a commitment
to improving the health of Indian people and we support Tribal
self-determination as an avenue for meeting that need."
The contracts will be carried out by
three tribal organizations endorsed by the Navajo Nation, which
are: the Utah Health Care System, Inc., the Winslow Indian Health
Care Center, Inc., and the Tuba City Regional Health Care Corporation,
and represent approximately $10.8 million in Fiscal Year 2002
funding and $48 million in Fiscal Year 2003 funding. Added to
these congressionally appropriated funds will be approximately
$29 million that can be collected by these tribal organizations
directly from the Medicare and Medicaid programs. A user population
of approximately 50,000 people will be served by these three
contracts. Under Public Law 93-638, the Indian Self-Determination
and Education Assistance Act, federally recognized American
Indian tribes and organizations have the option to contract
for services traditionally provided by the federal government.
"Self-determination contracting
provides tribes and tribal organizations the opportunity to
develop health care programs that are appropriate to their communities
and their specific health needs," states Dr. Charles W.
Grim, IHS Interim Director. "The complex and detailed process
of negotiating these contracts ensures that the quality of services
patients receive continues uninterrupted. The additional flexibility
the Tribes have for managing their own programs and resources
often allows for additional services to be provided."
The IHS Navajo Area Office is responsible
for the delivery of health services to American Indians in portions
of the States of Arizona, New Mexico, Utah, and Colorado (a
region known as the 4-Corners Area of the U.S.). The IHS Navajo
Area is primarily responsible for healthcare to members of the
Navajo Nation and Southern Band of San Juan Paiutes, but care
to other American Indians (Zuni and Hopi) is also provided.
The Navajo Nation is the largest land-based tribe in the United
States, which encompasses more than 25,000 square miles.
"This is a milestone in Indian
health care," stated John Hubbard, Jr., Area Director of
the IHS Navajo Area. "As always, the Indian Health Service
will continue to work with tribal governments as partners in
providing health care in the Navajo Area. This transfer ushers
in a new era for health delivery for the Navajo Nation.
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NOTICE
TO EDITORS: For additional information on this subject, please contact
the IHS Public Affairs Office at 301-443-3593. Additional information about
the IHS is available on the IHS website http://www.ihs.gov
and http://info.ihs.gov
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