On February 12, William “Chief Bill” Smith (Valdez Native Tribe), Board Chairman of the National Indian Health Board (NIHB), testified before the U.S. Senate Committee on Indian Affairs during the “Native Communities’ Priorities for the 119th Congress” oversight hearing. The hearing provided a critical platform to advocate for the health needs of American Indian and Alaska Native communities and reinforce the federal government’s trust responsibility for Indian health.
In his testimony, Chairman Smith emphasized urgent needs for:
- Mandatory, Full Funding for the Indian Health Service (IHS): Predictable, long-term funding is essential to address chronic underfunding and ensure reliable access to care.
- Investments in Healthcare Infrastructure: Many Tribal health facilities are outdated or insufficient to meet growing community needs. Increased infrastructure investments will improve access and quality of care.
- Behavioral Health Resources: The demand for mental health and substance use services continues to grow. Expanding culturally appropriate behavioral health programs is critical to supporting Tribal communities.
- Workforce Development Initiatives: Tribes need resources to recruit, train, and retain healthcare professionals to serve in Tribal health systems.
- Public Health Infrastructure: Strengthening public health capacity ensures Tribal communities are prepared to respond to health crises.
Chairman Smith also underscored the importance of upholding Tribal sovereignty and engaging Tribes as equal partners in health policy development. “Indian health is not a discretionary program,” he said. “It is a trust obligation. We need Congress to act with urgency to close the persistent health disparities that have long affected our people.”
NIHB thanks the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs for prioritizing Tribal health, and looks forward to continued collaboration with Congress to advance these critical issues. Together, we can ensure healthier futures for all Tribal communities.
