Nashville Area Indian Health Service 2011 Annual Report

PRIORITY TWO: REFORM THE INDIAN HEALTH SERVICE.
Indian Health Care Improvement Act
The Area Director was successful in bringing reform to the Nashville Area
through implementing applicable provisions of the Indian Health Care
Improvement Act (IHCIA) and ACA into Title I contracts and Title V
compacts, implementing Tribal priorities related to consultations and funding
formulas, implementing internal staff priorities related to human resources
and financial management, and improving the unmet need and business
practices related to Contract Health Services (CHS).
The Nashville Area implemented the majority of the IHCIA and ACA
provisions in fiscal year (FY) 2010, shortly after the passage of the law.
However, due to multi-year agreements some Tribes did not seek the
opportunity to negotiate until FY 2011. In FY 2011, the Nashville Area
conducted negotiations with seven tribes, which will incorporate between
five and twelve provisions of the IHCIA. These provisions include, but
are not limited to medical transportation costs, mental health workers
licensing requirements, liability for payment, continuing education for Tribal
employees, and traditional health care practices.
IHS Director Dr. Yvette Robideaux at the National Indian Health Board’s 28th Annual Consumer Conference in Anchorage, Alaska.
16 www.ihs.gov/Nashville Nashville Area Indian Health Service