WHEREAS, the National Indian Health Board (NIHB), established in 1972, serves all Federally recognized American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) Tribal governments by advocating for the improvement of health care delivery to AI/ANs, as well as upholding the Federal government’s trust responsibility to AI/AN Tribal governments; and

WHEREAS, the unmet health needs of American Indians and Alaska Natives are severe and the health status of American Indians and Alaska Natives is far below that of the general population of the United States, resulting in an average life expectancy for American Indians and Alaska Natives 4.2 years less than that for the U.S. all races population; and

WHEREAS, the Indian Health Service and tribal Purchased/Referred Care programs (formerly known as Contract Health Services) purchase primary and specialty care services from private health care providers when those services are not available at Indian Health Service or Tribal health facilities; and

WHEREAS, Purchased/Referred Care services are chronically underfunded with an estimated needs gap of over $770 million; and