The National Indian Health Board (NIHB) assists Tribes in shaping federal budget decisions for the Indian health system during the annual formulation cycle. NIHB provides technical assistance support of the Indian Health Service (IHS) Tribal Budget Formulation Workgroup, by coordinating the drafting of the Workgroup’s testimony, and ensuring that messages are delivered to key policymakers, including Congress and key agency officials. This strategic collaboration ensures that the unique needs of Tribes are effectively communicated, advocating for essential funding to strengthen the health and well-being of Native communities nationwide. Over the years, the workgroup has had many policy successes including consistent funding increases for IHS, enactment of advance appropriations for the Indian Health Service, and several years of the President’s Budget request for full, mandatory funding for IHS.
The resulting publication is the “National Tribal Budget Formulation Workgroup’s Request for the Indian Health Service Fiscal Year Budget” also known as the IHS Budget Book.
