1976: President Ford signs Indian Health Care Improvement Act

Congress passes the $1.6-billion Indian Health Care Improvement Act. Its provisions authorize the Indian Health Service to bill Medicare and Medicaid for services rendered to qualifying beneficiaries. It also proposes the need for tribal-specific health plans to investigate Native perceptions of health problems and culturally acceptable solutions.

The Indian Health Care Improvement Act (P.L. 94-437) surpasses the 1921 Snyder Act in both scope and authority.

Theme

Federal-Tribal Relations

Region

Arctic, California, Great Basin, Great Plains, Northeast, Northwest Coast, Plateau, Southeast, Southwest, Subarctic