Indian Health Service NEWS RELEASE	IHS-18-2002 August 28, 2002 FOR IMMEDIATE  RELEASE
Contact: (301) 443-3593, FAX (301) 443-0507
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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