Indian Health Program
The mission of the Indian Health Program (IHP) is to improve the health status of American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/ANs) living in urban, rural, and reservation or rancheria communities throughout California. Health services for American Indians are based on a special historical legal responsibility identified in treaties with the U.S. government. California voluntarily accepted this responsibility by adopting Public Law (P.L.) 83-280 in 1954, which allowed for State jurisdiction of Indian affairs. The legislative authority for the program is Health and Safety (H&S) Code, Sections 124575 – 124595 and Title XVII Chapter 3.1, Section 1500-1541.
TRIBAL AND INDIAN HEALTH PROGRAM DESIGNEE MEDI-CAL INFORMATION
IHP PROGRAM ACTIVITIES
Existing law directs the Department of Health Care Services to address the comparatively low health status of the AI/AN population through the maintenance of a program consisting of all of the following:
Technical and financial assistance to local agencies concerned with the health of American Indians and their families:
Financial and technical assistance includes quality of care reviews, program planning, and evaluation, emergency preparedness, and a home visitation program targeted at high risk AI/AN pregnant and parenting families using federal funding.
Studies of the health and health services available to American Indians and their families throughout the state:
The IHP assisted with the completion of a congressionally mandated statewide report regarding the health status of nonfederal recognized Indians. The IHP also funded the LA Feasibility Study, which examined options for the development of health care services to AI/ANs residing in LA County.
The American Indian Health Policy Panel (AIHPP):
The AIHPP is the IHP’s statutorily mandated advisory panel. The AIHPP provides advice to DHCS and the California Department of Public Helath (CDPH) on the level of resources, priorities, criteria, and guidelines necessary to implement the Indian Health Program. AIHPP members are nominated by their respective communities and are appointed by the DHCS Director.
The coordination with similar programs of the Federal Government, other states, and voluntary agencies:
The IHP routinely collaborates with the Federal Indian Health Service (IHS) on Indian health issues. The IHP is currently collaborating with IHS to assist tribal clinics and communities in emergency and bioterrorism preparedness for AI/AN health clinics.
Other IHP Activities:
H&S Code Section 124585 (d) also specifies that the program will distribute funds in accordance with a formula and assist programs to maximize third-party payment systems. Additionally, H&S Code Section 124580 requires the DHCS to provide sufficient funding to improve AI/AN access to other service programs within the CDPH including Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health (MCAH); Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Supplemental Nutrition Program; programs for the aging; etc.
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