News Release
Indian Health Service
The Indian Health Service announced on February 22 $24 million in funding to 12 tribes and tribal organizations as part of a competitive Small Ambulatory Program to invest in the construction, expansion or modernization of small ambulatory health care facilities.
“The IHS Small Ambulatory Program supports our tribal partners by expanding access to culturally appropriate, quality health care in an environment that promotes patient safety,” said IHS Director Roselyn Tso. “Small ambulatory health care facilities are a critical part of the Indian health system because they meet the diverse health care needs of American Indians and Alaska Natives.”
The Indian Health Service Small Ambulatory Program is expanding access to various outpatient services for patients, including offering new services, building on existing services, and upgrading outdated facilities. Since the program began in 2001, more than 61 projects have been funded, totaling more than $123 million. Ninety-five percent of tribally-operated health care facilities provide primarily ambulatory services. These services include preventative services for chronic diseases, such as diabetes. Ambulatory care settings operated by tribes and tribal organizations also provide increased access to culturally appropriate, quality health care.
The following tribes and tribal organizations received funding:
The Indian Health Service Office of Environmental Health and Engineering supports IHS and tribal communities by providing functional, well maintained health care facilities and staff housing, technical and financial assistance to tribes on safe water and wastewater systems, and a broad range of environmental health and injury prevention activities throughout Indian Country.
The IHS, an agency in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, provides a comprehensive health service delivery system for approximately 2.7 million American Indians and Alaska Natives who belong to 574 federally recognized tribes in 37 states. Follow the agency via social media on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.
