​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Indian Health Program

The mission of the Indian Health Program (IHP) is to improve the health status of American Indians 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. ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​