WASHINGTON – The Indian Health Service (IHS), an agency within the
Department of Health and Human Services, will implement a headquarters
reorganization. The IHS is responsible for providing health services to
federally recognized American Indian and Alaska Native tribal governments.

On July 12, after two years of planning and consultations with tribes, the
IHS published a Federal Register notice describing a reorganized structure.
The new structure reflects current and emerging priorities of the agency,
and will flatten the management structure by eliminating an entire layer.

“A six to 12-month transition period is under way. The transition is
anticipated to be smooth, and provision of health care services to IHS
patients and beneficiaries should not be disrupted,” said Dr. Charles W.
Grim, IHS director. “Reorganization does not mean downsizing. Every
employee has a place in the new organizational structure. A few positions
may shift to a different unit and a few new critical positions may be added
to the organization as suggested by tribal leaders during the two-year
planning and consultation effort. We look forward to the benefits that this
new structure will bring.”

This reorganization transition will take place over several months before
all benefits are fully realized. The reorganization will mainly affect IHS
headquarters administrative components and is intended to have a positive
impact on IHS field operations and tribal health care programs. Continuity
of administrative support and leadership is expected while the innovations
envisioned in the reorganization plan are introduced.

The goals of the reorganization are:

Streamlining and reduction of management layers.

Enhanced collaboration with other Health and Human Services programs.

Alignment with and functional linkage to field based IHS area offices and
programs.

A leadership structure better matched to emerging needs and trends.

Greater emphasis on ensuring access for American Indians and Alaska Natives
to non-IHS sources of health care resources and services.

More focus on results rather than bureaucratic oversight.

Minimal changes in IHS headquarters work force levels – now half of
mid-1990s levels.

Enhanced advocacy to close the health gap of American Indian and Alaska
Native people compared to other Americans.

Additional information about the IHS headquarters reorganization can be
found at www.ihs.gov/NonMedicalPrograms/HRG/Index.asp.